The Saskatchewan NDP wants the provincial auditor to look into government spending on research into underground storage of carbon dioxide.

The International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide (IPAC-CO2) at the University of Regina received $5 million, a third of its budget, from the province.

A forensic investigation has revealed that more than $2 million of that money was spent on IT contracts without tender.

Meyers Norris Penny conducted the investigation. It found that the officials were in a conflict of interest, but that they did not benefit financially.

A separate group of IT consultants sent in by the government found that the firm handed the work provided good value for the money.

IPAC-CO2 now has a new structure and is no longer managed by the university.

Based on a report by CTV Regina's Wayne Mantyka