by Matthew Hay Brown
Rep. Henry A. Waxman opened an investigation into an EPA decision to stop California from regulating greenhouse gas emissions today with a warning to the agency’s administrator: Don’t destroy those documents.
Waxman, the Los Angeles Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wants to know why Stephen L. Johnson denied a request by the State of California to begin limiting greenhouse gas emissions from new automobiles.
“Prior to making this decision you assured the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, as well as the state of California and many others, that you would make this decision on the merits,” Waxman wrote to Johnson in a letter released by his office.
“It does not appear that you fulfilled that commitment,” Waxman wrote. “Your decision appears to have ignored the evidence before the agency and the requirements of the Clean Air Act. In fact, reports indicate that you overruled the unanimous recommendations of EPA’s legal and technical staffs in rejecting California’s petition.
“Your decision not only has important consequences to our nation, but it raises serious questions about the integrity of the decision-making process.”
Waxman told Johnson his committee was investigating that process, and asked the administrator to produce all relevant documents not already on the public record.
“This request includes all communications within the agency and all communications between the agency and persons outside the agency, including persons in the White House, related to the California waiver request,” he wrote. “And all agency staff should be notified immediately to preserve all documents relating to the California waiver request.”
President Bush, meanwhile, defended Johnson’s decision today.
“The question is how to have an effective strategy,” Bush told reporters at the White House. “Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases or is it more effective to have a national strategy?”
In announcing his decision Wednesday, Johnson said the California standards were made unnecessary by the new fuel economy standards signed into law by Bush earlier in the day.
“The director in assessing this law and assessing what would be more effective for the country said we now have a national plan,” said Bush. "It's one of the benefits of Congress passing this legislation."
Federal law gives California – the most populous state, with long experience in regulating emissions – the authority to develop its own air-quality standards, subject to EPA approval.
Once the federal government approves a “California Waiver,” other states can choose to enforce the same rules – and often do. It's how California gave the nation the catalytic converter, low-emissions vehicle standards and the "check engine" light.
Twelve other states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland, stood ready to begin enforcing the new standards on greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists say contribute to global warming. California officials say they will appeal the decision in court.
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Comments
Maybe the EPA can ask Hillary where a good place to store documents would be.
Or, perhaps the EPA can put Sandy Berger in charge of the documents.
Posted by: Terry | December 20, 2007 8:23 PM
This blog went up at 3:56 EST, yet no posts at 8:20 PM est?
What a joke. ChiTrib, you are not gettin' it done re. the blogging, modern, free press world of the 21st century.
Step it up, for cripes sake!
Posted by: C.Morris | December 20, 2007 8:23 PM
The lost postings are unreal here at the Swamp.
I'll try again, I apologize if it goes up twice.
Submitted earlier;
******************
Note the horizontal antenas at the top of the windshield. (!?)
http://www.pbase.com/donphotos/image/53485707
I can just picture it. The 'Go' meeting, Dearborn Michigan, June, 1955;
(Mercury Division Chief FMC (William 'Bill' White));
"Ok! So here it is! Marching orders. Bob One, you call the vinyl suppliers and get them moving! Bill light a fire under the engine development section! I want 430CI and 360 horsepower! Jim, cancel the brake upgrade program! Too expensive, not 'sexy'! Nobody buys brakes!!
Jim Dillbright;
"But sir! My engineers have come up with some great solutions on the 'brakes/suspention/safety' project. With this much horse power we need some basic standards for handling and ..."
Mr. White interrupts;
"?Uh, uh, Dillbright is it? Look! We don't have time for it. Or the money for it! The engine and chrome upgrade plus the 'horizontal antenna' project has soaked up all the extra money in the budget! Get with the program, Dillbright! Nobody buys a car for the brakes or seat belts! Tucker proved it. Be a team player, son! Give me a warm fuzzy! Nobody cares about the B/S project! Look; keep working on it. Low key it. Maybe next year's Edsel project will be a 'go-go' for it! For now just add more boost to the power brakes! I want all four to lock up if grandma so much as touches that brake peddle with her pinky toe!"
A secretary enters the room;
"Mr. White, there is a Japanese fellow on line two. Says he has an interesting offer about a different kind of small car that is economical to operate."
(general laughter all around.)
Mr. White;
"Right Betty, right (wiping tears of laughter from his eyes). "Tell 'im I'll get back to him right away! After lunch! "
(More loud guffawing all around)
"Let's see? Oh yeah! Bob Two, get ahold of our friends in South Africa and tell them to start putting out all the chromium they possibly can! "
Mr. White ends the meeting;
"Ok, lets break, martini lunch and steaks at Sambo's downtown..."
(More general laughter and applause as the team leaves the conference room.)
(As the executives leave the conference floor, Dillbright hangs back and has a short conversation with Betty. She hands him a memo with a phone number on it.)
Mr. White standing in front of the elevator;
"OK boys, for 'Old Henry' to cover lunch we need to talk a little new business, so think 'Edsel'!
(The first signs of negativity and even some groaning issue forth from the group)
Mr. White continues;
"Come on! Get with the program! By the way, can you believe that Jap!?"
(The good feelings and hilarity are restored with this comment. The group disappears into the down elevator. Dillbright is not among them.)
Posted by: C.Morris | December 20, 2007 8:42 PM
Terry!
You are here!
You know, more and more you remind of the 'pointy haired boss' in the Dilbert strip.
Posted by: C.Morris | December 20, 2007 9:07 PM
Terry, as talented as Sandy Berger is with documents, Bush et al don't need any lessons from outsiders as to hiding or lying about records. That's a talent they've got sewn up with NO assistance from ANYBODY. Yeah, I know -- it feels good to deflect the finger-pointing elsewhere, but this one isn't going to stick. This Administration AIN'T honest, not AY-tall, and no amount of "but, but, but .... CLINTON!!!!" is going to improve them.
Posted by: Op109 | December 21, 2007 3:26 AM
Speaking of Dilbert - you better watch your back :)
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071219/NEWS/712190360/-1/politics
Posted by: Terry | December 21, 2007 7:29 AM
Terry,
Dogbert must be running the place
Posted by: C.Morris | December 21, 2007 3:40 PM
Waxman warns EPA: Don't destroy documents
by Matthew Hay Brown
Yea, the Dems fearless leaders might slap you on your wrist.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | December 21, 2007 4:26 PM
When it comes to obstruction of justice - the Clintons have no equals.
Posted by: Terry | December 21, 2007 5:47 PM
U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming Claims in 2007. http://tinyurl.com/2dv6nz
Posted by: Dr Coles | December 21, 2007 6:24 PM