EPA to blow $1.6 million on fancy hotel for “environmental justice” conference?

**Posted by Phineas

EPA conference planner
EPA conference planner

Well, if you’re going to host a conference for nearly a month, you can’t expect people to stay at a Super 8. That would be cruel. A Holiday Inn? No, one can only eat so many free continental breakfasts. Nope, the only thing that will do for people fighting for “environmental justice” (and getting a taxpayer funded month-long vacation) is one of the best hotels in D.C.:

The agency posted its intention to contract with the Renaissance Arlington Local Capital View Hotel for its upcoming public meeting, for which it will need to book 195 rooms for 24 days.

β€œThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Office of Enforcement and Compliance, Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) intends to award a fixed-price Purchase Order … to the Renaissance Arlington Local Capital View Hotel,” the solicitation said. β€œThe purpose of this acquisition is to cover the cost of 195 sleeping room nights from Sept. 9 [to] Oct 2, 2014, at government rate for the 50th public meeting of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), a federal advisory committee of the EPA.”

Rooms at the Renaissance Arlington run for roughly $349 a night. At 24 nights, the cost of 195 rooms will reach $1,633,320, or $8,376 per room.

The government per diem rate for lodging is $219 for September. If the EPA receives the per diem rate, the cost will come to $1,024,920 for the duration of their stay.

What’s a million-and-a-half among friends, eh? Maybe they’ll make Star Trek videos, too!

PS: As one wit on Twitter said, referring back to this story:

(Crossposted at Public Secrets)

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