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.”
More Top Picks Best Donburi Bowl Sets
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.