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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EPA Asbestos Panel Should Stay Insulated from Industry

Jun 1, 2007 by Matthew Madia

EPA is considering appointing Dennis C. Paustenbach to the asbestos panel of its Science Advisory Board. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Paustenbach has made a career out of defending corporations in asbestos exposure suits. Agency panels and committees, such as EPA's Science Advisory Board, are important tools for regulatory decision-makers. Panels are supposed to consist of impartial experts who can provide valuable scientific and technical advice.

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Preemption Concerns Remain on Chem Security Rules

May 25, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Yesterday, Congress missed an opportunity to restore states' ability to impose standards stricter than federal standards on chemical plant security. As OMB Watch reported in April, the Department of Homeland Security finalized interim regulations for instituting security performance standards at high-risk chemical facilities. The regulations fail to protect the public on a number of fronts.

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Baroody's out. Who's next?

May 24, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Yesterday, Michael Baroody withdrew himself as nominee to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). News of the withdrawal came less than 24 hours before today's scheduled nomination hearing. It is unclear whether the withdrawal came at the behest of the White House or was of Baroody's own accord. Either way, it is not surprising. The Senate nomination panel was preparing to grill Baroody on his ties to industry and obvious conflicts of interest. The withdrawal is a welcome decision. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) put it best in today's Washington Post:

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Baroody Withdraws Nomination

May 23, 2007 by Matthew Madia

The Associated Press is reporting Michael Baroody has withdrawn his nomination to be commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. As Reg•Watch reported last week, Baroody's industry ties were increasingly making him an untenable nominee. Consumer commission nominee withdraws [Associated Press]

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OMB Watch Comments on FDA Conflict of Interest Guidance

May 22, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Yesterday, OMB Watch submitted comments on FDA's proposed conflict of interest guidelines for agency scientific advisory panels. Avoiding conflicts of interest on these panels is important to ensuring scientific integrity, responsible use of agency resources, and strong final regulatory actions.

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Senators Make a Case against Bush Product Safety Nominee

May 18, 2007 by Matthew Madia

On March 1, President Bush nominated Michael Baroody to be a commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Many have criticized the nomination because of Baroody's record of opposing safety regulation in his role as a lobbyist for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Yesterday, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) sent a letter to President Bush asking him to withdraw the nomination. In the letter, the Senators really brought their A-game, citing statutory criteria for the qualifications of a CPSC commissioner:

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Regulatory Bureaucracy Blamed for Failing Miner Safety

May 17, 2007 by Matthew Madia

As Reg•Watch has reported, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has been absolutely abysmal in enforcing the MINER Act. Congress passed the MINER Act in the wake of the Sago and Darby mine tragedies and included some statutory deadlines. MSHA has failed to promulgate any meaningful standards related to the MINER Act.

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Latest Watcher

May 16, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Regulatory policy articles this time: House Hearing Asks Interior: Entangled in Politics, or Enlightened by Science? Cost-Benefit Provision Latches onto Fuel Economy Standard Senate Passes FDA Reform Bill, Expands User Fees

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Senate Passes FDA Reform Bill, Expands User Fees

On May 9, the Senate ended weeks of debate and passed S. 1082, the Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act. The two primary aims of the bill are to renew the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and to generally strengthen the regulatory authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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Senate FDA Reform Bill: The Nuts and Bolts

May 11, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Wednesday, the Senate voted 93-1 to pass S.1082, The Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act. The two primary aims of the legislation are to renew the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and to generally strengthen the regulatory authority of the FDA. Renewing PDUFA

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