Waxman Issues Third Subpoena for EPA DocumentsAs we’ve often observed before, EPA chief Stephen Johnson has a remarkable capacity for withholding information. And now he’s make a strong bid to making the EPA the most subpoenaed Bush administration agency.
Today, House oversight committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) issued his third subpoena to the EPA this year. Waxman’s committee has been investigating Johnson’s decision, made against the unanimous recommendation of his legal and technical staff, to block California’s attempt to institute tough greenhouse gas limits for cars and trucks.
Waxman says that his staff “has found evidence that EPA officials met with the White House” about the rule, but that “EPA has refused to disclose the substance and extent of its communications with the White House.” Waxman’s subpoena seeks about 100 EPA documents involving the White House.
Johnson has thus far stonewalled Congressional attempts to get more information about those White House meetings, telling Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that he couldn’t disclose anything about them because “I value the ability to have candid discussions that are part of good government.”