Scoop: Obama energy secretary suspends role in Saudi megaproject

The details: Moniz said he was invited to join an international advisory board for the development of NEOM, whose cost is estimated to be around $500 billion.

• The project is meant to be a smart city of the future, built from the ground up in Saudi Arabia, Moniz said in a statement.
• Saudi Arabia, whose state-owned oil company pumps out far more oil than any other company, is seeking to diversify its oil-dependent economy.
• “In particular, I have been asked to offer guidance on achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions. Success with this vision will have global implications for a low-carbon future,” Moniz said.
• In awkward timing, the board was announced Tuesday, according to media reports in Saudi Arabia.

“I share the deep concerns of many about the disappearance and possible assassination of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. … The recent trend in many countries of targeting journalists for doing their jobs is a fundamental threat to freedom of the press, human rights and the rule of law.”

Go Deeper: Khashoggi disappearance could impact Saudi Arabia's business deals