Update (9/10/09): A little after 4:00 pm, the Senate confirmed Cass Sunstein as OIRA administrator. The vote was 57-40. Click here to read OMB Watch’s statement on the confirmation.

Today, Cass Sunstein, President Obama's nominee to head the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, passed a critical test when the Senate voted to end debate on his nomination.

The oil industry is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change its plans for establishing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. In April, EPA proposed a regulation that would require facilities to report greenhouse gas emissions above a certain threshold. The data would then be made available in a publicly accessible, online database. (More on the proposed regulation here.)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday that it may require more air quality monitoring devices to be placed around the country to calculate levels of airborne lead.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) will lift his hold on Cass Sunstein, according to Congress Daily (subscription): " 'I am not gonna keep him from confirmation and I intend to lift my hold,' Chambliss said on the Senate floor. The step may clear Sunstein for quick confirmation, though Senate aides have warned other holds are possible."