There they are.” Amanda pointed toward the bar where Nancy and Adam Ridge were standing. “Sorry we’re late,” she apologized while flashing a smile in Noble’s direction.
“Not a problem. There’s about a ten minute wait for our table,” Nancy replied, as they each managed the appropriate handshake or air-kiss greeting.
Adam placed additional drink orders.
Adam Ridge was a lobbyist for the Oil and Gas Industry and Amanda’s boss. Noble was well aware of his credentials. Before he became a lobbyist, he worked for the Department of Energy, the DOE, making him a key source of vital information.
The month before, Noble had met with Adam in a clandestine get-together on the premise that he may have information that would prove useful in tracking down Simon. At the time, Noble suspected that the government-owned land in Utah was an essential part of the case. Adam was able to clarify some of the activities that took place since Congress passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act in 2009. As a result, the government had set out to claim a laundry list of land—including land in the area Noble had dubbed the Dead Zone. Their conversation also led them to a major regulatory case that involved Adam’s clients, regarding the mining of beryllium within the same area. It was the same metal ultimately linked to an explosive device used in the London New Year’s Eve bombing. The metal was traced back to Simon.
“Your table is ready,” the waiter announced. “This way please.”
The ladies followed the waiter, while the guys stayed behind to settle the bar tab. At this point, Noble took the opportunity to say, “Adam, I need to talk to you about your time at the DOE.”
Adam appeared slightly shaken. “I’m leaving on a business trip tomorrow for a few days. Can it wait until I return?”
“How about tonight after dinner?”
“The gals aren’t going to be happy. It’s that urgent?”
“Depending on what you tell me it could be,” Noble pressed.
Adam capitulated. “Okay, but let’s have a pleasant evening of conventional small talk first. Then we can make our amends and go do our thing.”
“Agreed.”
They both walked toward the table, removing the sternness from their faces and saving it for later.
“What are you two whispering about?” Nancy cajoled.
“The weather,” Adam teased.
She knew it was always business.
Amanda knew it was always business.
“And what were you two talking about?” Noble asked, reversing the inquiry.
“Actually, we were talking about the National Symphony’s performance last week with Hugh Wolff conducting,” Nancy explained.
Amanda added, “Dvorák’s New World Symphony was marvelous!”
“This is Amanda’s way of reminding me that I cancelled at the last minute,” Noble quipped.
Adam returned a broad smile.
“You too?” Noble chuckled.
Adam nodded in affirmation.
The men surrendered and took their seats. The women had already perused the menu and had made their choices. Noble chose Amanda’s main course, forgoing the appetizer; Adam chose both of Nancy’s selections.
Noble insisted on ordering a bottle of Capannelle 50&50—his favorite Tuscan wine.
It did not escape Adam’s attention that he was preparing the gals for a later disappointment.
Then at the end of a delightful two-hour dinner, the moment of reckoning arrived.
Noble made the announcement. “I’m afraid ladies I am about to tarnish a wonderful evening. I have urgent business to discuss with Adam and this is our only opportunity.”
“Noble, how rude,” Amanda carped.
Adam spoke in Noble’s defense and stated, “I agreed. You two order a big fattening dessert and then, dear, call my car service and have them drive you both home safely. We’ll take care of the check when we leave.”
“You’re not leaving?” Nancy inquired, feigning a hint of surprise.
“The crowd’s thinning out. We’re going to sit in the back in the corner booth where it’s quiet and private.” Adam was the first to stand. He leaned over and kissed his none-too-happy wife. “I’ll see you at home.”
Noble stood and kissed Amanda, and then whispered in her ear, “Stay at my place tonight. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Sorry I had to screw up the evening,” Noble apologized.
“Let me get home at a reasonable hour and all will be forgiven.”
Noble wasted no time. “Tell me about your stretch at the DOE?”
Surprised by the question, Adam asked, “You want to know about me or about the department?”
“I’m interested in their current activities, but I have to admit I am curious as to why you left in the first place.” Noble always wondered why Adam had left the government and joined forces with a lobbying firm that was constantly at odds with his former employer.
“You’re aware that I was the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Fuel?”
“Yes, and you left in 2013.”
“Are you familiar with the GAP Analysis?”
“Isn’t it basically a way of mapping the distribution of various endangered species in our country?”
“Primarily. However, when President Clinton created the National Gap Analysis Program in 1999, the scope went far beyond mapping just species and ballooned into a program to preserve protected areas as deemed by the government. These protected areas handed the government open latitude, literally to seize vast tracts of land. Presumably, it was a plan for the long-term maintenance of our biosphere.”
“You said deemed by the government. Who made the decisions?”
“It’s a mélange of federal, state, and non-governmental organizations, along with private businesses and academic institutions. They call themselves a coalition. Of course, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management are among them. The non-government entities are an assortment of environmental interest groups, including The Nature Conservancy and the GreenInfo Network.”
Adam paused noticeably before continuing. “Remember during our last meeting, we talked about the systematic federal land grabs that were taking place in the West that delayed the discharge of drilling leases?”
“Yes, I remember it created an impossible situation for the mining companies with leases, who were unable to build roads or bridges through federal-owned land to access their own privately funded drilling sites. Also didn’t the government begin to reduce the amount of federal land previously allocated for drilling by various means?”
“Correct. Back in 2013, they reduced the acreage from one-point-three-million acres to seven-hundred-thousand acres.”
“Why didn’t you bring this up during our earlier meeting?” Noble inquired.
“You seemed to be focused on Juab County and the surrounding areas in Utah. The importance of what I am telling you now is that it’s my belief that the mapping that took place under the Clinton GAP analysis was the precursor to identifying land—land to be confiscated later in the name of preservation.”
“I do recall that the former president released a roadmap for solar-energy development based on a joint study by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the DOE. Is that what you are referring to?”
“Precisely, the plan was to allocate two hundred and eighty-five thousand acres of federal-owned land to build twenty-three-thousand-seven-hundred megawatts of solar-energy capacity over twenty years. The Secretary of the Interior at the time said that the program laid out the next phase of the president’s strategy, ‘for rapid and responsible development of renewable energy.’”
“I assume that’s an example of your land-grab theory?” Noble posed.
Adam nodded. “There are many examples, but my premise solidified a few years earlier in September 2010 when the CLEAR Act surfaced.” He paused again, this time to make sure Noble was following along.
“You have my attention. Keep going.”
“The impetus for the CLEAR Act was the BP Oil spill. In my opinion, it was a ruse and another land-grab scheme. Even Gohmert, a representative from Texas, supported my assertion when he stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and clarified the provisions of the Act.” Adam explained that it called for the federal government to spend nine-hundred million dollars a year to purchase private land over the next thirty years, for a grand total of twenty-seven billion dollars over three decades.
“The Act passed into law?” Noble asked, quite surprised given the economic situation at the time.
“Unfortunately, the House passed the Act, but by a thin margin. Twenty-one republican representatives did not appear for the final vote, so I do not believe the president wanted to gamble that it would not pass the Senate. For all practical purposes, he turned the Act over to the United Nations for implementation. It was a complete end-run around Congress.”
“The United Nations. I’m confused.”
“Give me a sec.” Adam began tapping on his smartphone.
At the same time, Noble realized he was sitting precariously on the edge of his seat. He pushed back and waited for Adam.
“Oh, here it is.” Adam held up his right index finger as he resumed. “HR 3-4-3-5 states…”
To provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Mineral Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.
“And for other purposes,” Noble interjected with a dubious look.
“In short, HR 3-4-3-5 is called the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources Act of 2010, or the CLEAR Act.”
“But there was no mention of the United Nations in terms of administration.” Noble appeared to be mystified.
Adam took note. “Listen to this. In section 106 of the Act, titled Abolishment of Minerals Management Service, there’s a provision in item (e) that states—hold on.” He advanced the screen on his smartphone. “Here it is. It states, ‘Executive orders, rules, regulations, directives, or delegations of authority that precede the effective date of this Act…’” Adam waved his right hand…yada—yada—yada…then he continued to read, ‘“Statutory reporting requirements that applied in relation to the Service immediately before the effective date of the Act shall continue to apply,’” he enunciated.
Noble flapped both hands in the air, “Now I’m thoroughly confused. I still haven’t made the connection to the United Nations.”
Adam pressed on; he was about to connect the dots. “Two months before the CLEAR Act passed in the House, the president signed Executive Order 1-3-5-4-7, titled ‘Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes.’ It specifically called for,” Adam looked down and read…
America’s stewardship of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes is intrinsically linked to environmental sustainability, human health and well-being, national prosperity, adaptation to climate and other environmental changes, social justice, international diplomacy, and national and homeland security.
“The Law of the Sea Treaty!” Noble was stunned.
“Bingo! The language in the Clear Act reverts back to the prior Executive Order that substantially mandates membership in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Treaty, or LOST, bypassing the two-thirds votes required to ratify it in the Senate.” Adam was impressed that Noble had knowledge of LOST, the international agreement that defined the rights and responsibility of nations and their use of the world’s oceans.
“It sounds a bit like global governance,” Noble acknowledged.
“It sounds a lot like global governance. I also portend this Act will place a permanent roadblock to American energy, locking down our offshore drilling capabilities.” Adam abruptly changed topics. “Are you familiar with the Tres Amigas Project?”
Noble was excited by the question and played along. He assumed it would all start to make sense. “It’s a sort of national gateway that would connect the Eastern, Texas, and Western Interconnections and control the transmission of power to all states, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. It was in the news for a while and then there appeared to be no further mention. I just assumed it was one of those shovel-ready projects to nowhere. Why is it important?”
“They call it the Superstation and it is alive and well. It is still around and it is not just a super-power-station. The goal is to create a super power exchange, in addition to opening up markets for renewable energy. Investors and private placements fund the project.”
Noble shifted in his chair. Now we are getting somewhere, he thought.
Adam went on to explain that while the project was still in the construction phase, it had been slow going. In 2009, the governor of New Mexico granted a ninety-nine year lease in the city of Clovis for the Superstation. In return, the state would receive approximately nine million dollars per year in revenue, once it is operational; it was originally slated for 2014, and then pushed to 2016.
“In fact, it wasn’t until 2013 that FERC first granted approval to interconnect with the Southwestern’s transmission system, allowing them to begin the first phase. Then they needed additional approvals from FERC for the other interconnections, and they’re still acquiring the rights-of-way for transmission lines throughout the region,” Adam clarified.
“I’m following.”
“Okay, have you heard of Stronghold Management?”
“Of course, they’ve been awarded a multitude of government contracts. Primarily, they are consulting gurus operating within a multitude of industries, providing design, operations, and project management services.”
“That’s a simplification. They operate in sixty countries, with over thirty thousand employees, bringing in annual revenue of over seven billion U.S. dollars. One of their major projects is to manage the construction services for the Superstation.”
Noble gave his undivided attention to Adam as his interest amplified.
“Bear with me,” Adam cautioned, “it gets more interesting. Between the years of 2009 to 2012, the federal government granted Stronghold Management over two billion dollars of stimulus money from the Jobs Recovery Act. Their contracts were awarded to several governmental agencies, including the DOE.”
Adam described how he scoured over 470 government quarterly reports on the government’s recovery.gov website and reviewed the various Stronghold grants. The reports indicated that the total number of jobs created was slightly over 7300, but fifty percent of those jobs remained in the government and the other half fell into a category called other. He found that many of the reports indicated less than one job created, with a qualifying statement that read, No jobs created, only retained.
“It was hard to determine on this transparent website just how many jobs were created with the expenditure of over two-billion taxpayers’ dollars.”
Noble was stunned. “This is starting to smack of crony capitalism.”
“It’s not a smack; it’s a straight-out head butt. By the way, did I mention that Stronghold Management reallocated upward of ten million dollars of stimulus money to manage the design of a defunct solar manufacturing plant in California?”
So we’re using taxpayer dollars not only to build a company, which we know failed, but also to keep that company from going into bankruptcy.
“And the political peddling is even worse.” Adam explained, “In one year, Stronghold Management’s political donations totaled over six million dollars. Add that to another four million dollars for lobbyists; it takes their influence in Washington to new heights.”
To Noble it sounded like a resounding climax, but he could not fathom how this would lead him closer to Simon. Even still, he found it fascinating and urged Adam to continue. “You never told me why you left the department?”
“I started to dig deeper and deeper into the Stronghold companies and the Superstation. Stronghold has a long list of infractions and disputes with the government, including timecard fraud and paid kickbacks.”
“I thought you said the DOE and the other agencies continued to pay out stimulus money to Stronghold?”
“They did, and what I discovered was frightening. Stronghold’s Remediation Company managed environmental cleanup projects. Remember when we spoke about one of my clients, a producer of beryllium?”
“Yes. I recall they were having difficulty accessing the drilling sites due to the surrounding federal-owned land.”
“That’s what I thought at the time. Now I believe it had more to do with environmental reasons. Stronghold was chartered with the cleanup of the beryllium by-product, the dust particles created when developing the metal used in the nuclear industry. They received hefty fines for not adhering to proper work restrictions regarding nuclear waste.”
Adam’s excitement had waned, but he continued to explain his predicament in a doleful manner. “After careful consideration, and even knowing what I had uncovered trailed back to the DOE, I decided to become a standard-bearer for whistleblowing. Out of respect, I first spoke with my boss, the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Energy.”
Adam was chameleonic with emotion, trading in calm for extreme agitation. “My boss reminded me who I was going up against! In his words, ‘beware, they own the government, or at least aspects of the government.’ I was not absolutely sure whom he was speaking about specifically and he wouldn’t elaborate. Then I started to get mysterious veiled threats to both my family and me. The mention of my family was all it took. It was not a battle I wanted to fight.” He stopped. Then with a touch of angst he stressed, “Particularly frightening—was that the only person I told of my concerns—was my boss.”
Noble grimaced. “Based on recent events of what’s happening to government whistleblowers of late you made the right choice. However, by confiding in me I feel compelled to pursue these matters fully.” He noted Adam’s discomfort. “It’s a new administration. Do you want to speak to the president?” Noble asked.
“No. I’m not going down that road. Frankly, I don’t trust anyone in the government.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll do whatever I can to help. But Adam, I’m still not quite sure what the link is between all of these events.”
Adam began to fidget as he glanced around the room. Then straightaway with one hand, he reached for his pen, and with the other grabbed the cocktail napkin lying on the table. After a moment of hesitation, he scribbled something on the napkin and handed it to Noble. “Follow the trail—but be careful.”
Noble looked down at the scrawling. “What!”
“It’s late. I need to get home.” Adam’s agitation was evident.
“Go. I’ll pick up the check.” Noble remained alone in the booth. Land grabs, United Nations, global governance, power exchange. Nothing seems to connect to Simon. He rolled the words around in his mind. Then noting the time, he settled the bill and headed for his apartment.