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Elaine Chao Resigns from Bloomberg Board As Philanthropic Group Ramps Up Clean Energy Grants

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Elaine Chao has resigned from the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies as the foundation revs up its commitment to its clean energy initiative. 
 
Chao was Secretary of Labor in President George W. Bush’s cabinet and is also the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. 
 

Chao stepped down from the board after the philanthropic group announced $48 million in clean energy grants on Wednesday.
 
McConnell defended his wife’s position on the board during Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race last year. 
 
His opponent, Alison Lundergan Grimes, and others had characterized Chao’s role with Bloomberg as a weakness in McConnell’s claim to be a pro-coal candidate.
 
A statement from Sen. McConnell’s office described Chao’s decision to resign as a “respectful parting of the ways,” saying her service on the board was ‘incompatible with her commitments to Kentucky and its people, particularly coal miners and their families.”

Ryland Barton is the Managing Editor for Collaboratives for Kentucky Public Radio, a group of public radio stations including WKMS, WFPL in Louisville, WEKU in Richmond and WKYU in Bowling Green. A native of Lexington, Ryland most recently served as the Capitol Reporter for Kentucky Public Radio. He has covered politics and state government for NPR member stations KWBU in Waco and KUT in Austin.
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