CSB receives pointed letter concerning governance issues

Leadership from the House Energy and Commerce Committee reached across party lines on March 27 to address controversy in the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), sending a letter requesting answers on a range of issues.

Signed by Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), the letter referenced the resignation of CSB’s chairman, which was requested by President Obama.

“The board will soon have new leadership, but its challenges may go beyond particular personnel,” the letter said. “As the leaders of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over the CSB, we are seeking information necessary to ensure that the board will achieve its important mission going forward.”

The questions in the letter seek clarifying information about a Jan. 28 board order, which restructured CSB’s governance and limited the board’s oversight of the chairman. The order was passed at the end of a meeting about another issue without a discussion by the full board.

“While this resignation is a significant development, we seek to ensure new board leadership will appropriately address remaining challenges to the proper functioning of this agency,” the letter said.