A top aide appointed to work in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Public Affairs has been allowed to take outside consulting work for private clients whose names remain redacted.

The aide, John Konkus, was a part of the Trump administration's transition team after the 2016 election and was appointed as the associate administrator for the EPA's Office of Public Affairs in early 2017. This summer, the EPA's ethics lawyer signed off on Konkus' request to take outside work from private clients, but, according to the Associated Press, the in-house lawyer noted that "Konkus' outside contracts presented a 'financial conflict of interest.'" The ethics lawyer barred Konkus "from participating in matters at EPA that would have a 'direct and predictable' financial benefit for his clients," AP noted. However, it's unclear what those matters are and when Konkus would encounter them in his daily work.

The memo from the EPA's ethics lawyer approving Konkus' work was sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, six months after the committee requested information on conflicts of interest within the agency. According to a letter published by Democrats on that committee (PDF), the memo that the EPA sent to Congress had the names redacted of the two clients for whom Konkus wanted to work.

Ars called and emailed the EPA for comment, and we will update when we receive a response.

According to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the memo specified that Konkus would provide "consultative media advice" and that he "anticipate[s] getting more clients in the next six months."

The vagueness of Konkus' services has some on Capitol Hill concerned, especially given the powerful position he holds. Not just a public affairs officer, Konkus has been placed "in charge of vetting hundreds of millions of dollars in grants EPA awards each year," according to the committee's letter published yesterday. "Mr. Konkus has reportedly cancelled nearly $2 million in competitively awarded grants to universities and nonprofit organizations," the letter continued.

According to the AP, "Federal regulations would still limit Konkus from receiving more than $27,765 from outside clients in 2017." However, in his taxpayer-funded full-time position at the EPA, Konkus currently makes $145,000 a year.

Throughout 2017, Konkus worked reviewing and approving EPA grants, reportedly scanning requests for mentions of climate change, which Konkus called "the double-c word," according to The Washington Post. Both EPA Chief Administrator Scott Pruitt and President Trump have spread misinformation about the science behind climate change.

The House Committee gave the EPA until March 19 to provide a list of all politically appointed employees who have received similar approval to maintain outside clients and to provide a non-redacted report on who those employees are working for.