Political 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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Toxic Assessment Delays Block New Standards

A House panel recently examined efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study human exposure to, and toxic effects of, common industrial chemicals. EPA is not assessing enough chemicals and is taking too long to complete the assessments it does undertake, lawmakers said. Witnesses complained that without rigorous scientific studies as a foundation, federal and state agencies cannot set air and water quality standards that protect public health.

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September Argument Set In NAM Appeal

Jun 20, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

The National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) challenge to a new member disclosure law was dismissed on April 11, followed by both the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to grant a stay pending appeal. Now, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has scheduled an oral argument for Sept. 12 with a decision expected weeks or months after the argument date.

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IRIS Plagued by Lack of Transparency, Delay, Congressmen Say

Jun 13, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) wrote to the White House June 11 asking about the Office of Management and Budget's role in EPA's revised process for assessing the health effects of industrial chemicals. EPA announced changes to the process, known as the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), in April.

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Updated LDA Guidance Including the New Form LD-203

Jun 11, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

Due to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, which amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA), new guidance information has been issued. Section 5 of the LDA was amended by mandating an additional filing requirement, Form LD-203, to be filed semiannually by July 30th and January 30th. Information to be reported on new Form LD-203 includes certain contributions to political campaigns, honorary contributions, presidential library contributions, and payments for event costs.

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FDA to Renew Research on Bisphenol-A Effects

Jun 10, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Late last week, FDA's lead scientist asked the agency's science board to convene a subcommittee to study the effects of bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in hard plastics and food containers. The science board is an advisory committee of non-governmental scientists who provide expert advice to FDA decision makers.

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Ozone Standard Challenged in Multiple Court Actions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new, stricter national air quality standard for ozone is being challenged in multiple court actions, all of which are asking a federal appeals court to review the final rule. Although the new standard, announced March 12, is an improvement over the previous standard, environmental groups, state and local governments, and business interests all have filed lawsuits hoping to force the EPA to reconsider its decision.

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Analysis of White House Memo on Midnight Regulations

Jun 2, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Saturday's New York Times has an article about the White House's new policy setting deadlines for any regulations agencies intend to finalize during the Bush administration. The policy, outlined in a memo sent by Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, says, "Except in extraordinary circumstances, regulations to be finalized in this Administration should be proposed no later than June 1, 2008, and final regulations should be issued no later than November 1, 2008."

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Groups to Sue EPA over Ozone Rule

May 28, 2008 by Matthew Madia

Yesterday, five environmental groups announced they will file suit against the Environmental Protection Agency over its recent revision to the national air quality standard for ozone, or smog.

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For Bush-Era Regulations, the Clock Is Ticking

In a memorandum to regulatory agencies, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten has set a Nov. 1 deadline for any new regulations agencies wish to finalize by the end of the Bush administration. The memo will shape the work of White House officials and federal agency heads as they consider which regulations to push through in the coming months, with an eye toward securing an administrative legacy for President Bush.

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White House Involved in EPA's California Waiver Decision

A report released May 19 by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform concluded the White House improperly intervened in a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny California's request for a waiver under the Clean Air Act. The waiver would have allowed the state to set standards for greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles. In denying the waiver, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson went against the recommendation of EPA staff, who concluded there was no legal or scientific basis to deny the waiver.

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