EPA's secret meetings with the White House

[cynatnite]

WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency's top science adviser on Wednesday defended his boss for allowing more ozone pollution than the EPA's advisory panels recommended and for holding meetings with White House officials about pollution risks that are kept secret from Congress and the public.

George Gray, the EPA's assistant administrator for research and development and its science adviser, told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that the EPA's 7,000 scientists conduct research free of political influence and speak openly about their work.

Gray insisted the EPA's work is transparent even though it holds closed meetings with the White House Office of Management and Budget and other government agencies when it considers the risks from toxic chemicals. Democratic senators said the closed meetings were an opportunity for interference from government officials and industry groups.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said the committee had to determine whether the EPA was fulfilling its mission to protect the environment and health, "without regard to politics or special interests, without fear or favor. The increasing weight of the evidence suggests that it is not."

The EPA administrator, Stephen Johnson, declined to testify.

"The last few times Mr. Johnson has appeared before us, he has been less than forthcoming, as evasive and unresponsive as (former Attorney General) Alberto Gonzales," Whitehouse said.

http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/525042.html

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Republicans politicizing the EPA? Are you serious?! Next you'll tell me they do it to the FCC.

:rofl:

[defendandprotect]

2. There was a new --- not good -- report on BEES . . .

I didn't post it because usually it ends up being a dupe ---
but so far haven't seen it here???

[Mojorabbit]

3. I hope all these

people are kicked out on their asses when the next admin comes in.

[lutefisk]

4. Filling federal agencies with loyalists has been a top priority for the past 7 years

A Democratic administration might replace a few high level people, but they won't root out the thousands of others. And we can't get back all the good people who were purged, either.