A joint opinion piece by the editorial boards of the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer newspapers called the Governor and House Democratic Leader Darren Jackson’s (D-Wake) interference with an investigation into the Atlantic Coast Pipeline permit deal “disturbing” on Friday, insisting that “they should stop” obstructing the oversight inquiry.
The editorial noted that Governor Cooper announcing approval of the ACP permits in conjunction with a $57.8 million fund contributed by the energy companies developing the pipeline was “an unusual arrangement.”
While Rep. Jackson attempted to disband the subcommittee investigating the pipeline permit deal “just days before the hearing,” Governor Cooper’s office filed a “startling public records request for investigation records – including transcripts and recordings of interviews conducted in the probe.”