Documents show that a government scientist was passed over for a media appearance because he didn’t toe the administration’s line on global warming, a senior House Democrat suggested today.
The emails (posted here) show that CNBC requested in October 2005 to interview Dr. Tom Knutson, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, about whether global warming was contributing to the intensity of hurricanes. The request was passed up the chain to Commerce press secretary Chuck Fuqua.
“What is Knutson’s view on global warming vs. decadal cycles?” Fuqua asked his subordinate.
He’s “a bit of a different animal” than the higher-ups at the NOAA, the aide responded.
“Why can’t we have one of the other guys on then?” Fuqua emailed back.
NOAA ultimately denied CNBC the interview.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the ranking member on the House Committee on Government Reform, has written a letter to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to “learn more about the matter.”
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