Industry Influence and Interference

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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The Bush Administration's Attacks on State Law

Jan 17, 2008 by Matthew Madia

In a new article written for the American Constitution Society, Georgetown law professor David Vladeck examines a toubling yet underreported tactic the Bush administration has been using to undermine public health and safety protections: federal preemption of state tort claims.

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Scientists Gather to Speak Out on Political Manipulation

Jan 16, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Two dozen scientists came from around the country to Washington this week to protest political meddling in decisions on endangered species protections, according to The Washington Post: The scientists say political appointees at [the Department of] Interior, or those who report to them, have been altering their reports recommending "critical habitat" preservation to favor industries whose interests conflict with the findings.

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Plastics Chemical Report to Go under the Microscope

Jan 10, 2008 by Matthew Madia

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) will conduct a thorough review of a controversial assessment of the health effects of bisphenol-A, a chemical commonly found in a host of consumer products including CDs and baby bottles. NTP will give the report "unprecedented scrutiny," according to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

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Stickler Sticking around at MSHA

Jan 7, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Richard Stickler, head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, will remain in his post even though his 2006 recess appointment has expired. Late Friday, President Bush announced Stickler would remain on the job as an acting administrator. Stickler may continue in the interim role for another 210 days, according to the Associated Press.

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A Year for Failure: Regulatory Policy News in 2007

Jan 2, 2008 by Matthew Madia

In 2007, new regulatory policies and the inability of federal agencies to protect the public made headlines more so than at any time in recent memory. Four themes dominated regulatory policy in 2007: White House influence over agency rulemaking activity and discretion; the inability of the federal government to ensure the safety of imported goods; the influence of industry groups; and the Bush administration's refusal to regulate in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. Click on these links for a recap of 2007's highlights and lowlights:

White House Interventions

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One Nation, Under CO2

Dec 20, 2007 by Matthew Madia

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson yesterday rejected California's request to set its own vehicle emissions standard for greenhouse gases. (Click here for background.) An article in today's Washington Post summarizes the decision well: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson yesterday denied California's petition to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, overruling the unanimous recommendation of the agency's legal and technical staffs.

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House Panel Moves Regulatory Analysis Bill

Dec 18, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Last week, the House Small Business Committee unanimously approved H.R. 4458, the Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act of 2008 (SBRIA). Among other things, SBRIA would amend the Regulatory Flexibility Act to force agencies to perform yet more analysis of proposed regulations' impact, while continuing to allow industry lobbying groups to have access to agency proposals before they are released to the public.

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A Year for Failure: Regulatory Policy News in 2007

In 2007, new regulatory policies and the inability of federal agencies to protect the public made headlines more so than at any time in recent memory. Four themes dominated regulatory policy this year: an increase in White House influence over agency rulemaking activity and discretion, which added a perception of more political manipulation; the inability of the federal government to protect the public by ensuring the safety of imported goods; the voice of some industry groups calling for regulation; and the Bush administration's refusal to regulate in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, as in the case of climate change. At best, government has attempted to respond to crises instead of getting ahead of the curve. This has left the public uncertain about whether we can count on our government to provide adequate safeguards.

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Study Proves No Need for Conflicted FDA Panel Members

Dec 4, 2007 by Matthew Madia

In March, FDA issued draft guidelines that would revise its criteria for determining whether scientific advisory committee members have financial conflicts of interest. FDA advisory committees are standing panels comprised of individuals considered experts in a particular field. They provide advice to FDA on matters such as drug and medical device safety.

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Political Influence Leads to Revised Endangered Species Decisions

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will revise seven of eight decisions made under the Endangered Species Act program after reviewing them for improper political interference. The four-month review came as a result of a Department of Interior inspector general's investigation of allegations that former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Julie A. MacDonald, intimidated staff and changed the scientific information agency scientists developed for decisions about listing or delisting threatened or endangered species.

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