Waxman: White House should reject DoT lobbying effort

[babylonsister]

Waxman: White House should reject DoT lobbying effort
By Klaus Marre
September 24, 2007


Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) on Monday called on the White House to renounce a “behind-the-scenes” lobbying campaign, directed by Department of Transportation (DoT) Secretary Mary Peters, to block a California emissions standard.

Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, made the demand in a letter to White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton.

The lawmaker said evidence unearthed by his staff shows that Peters is lobbying behind the scenes to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to block a California standard that would regulate greenhouse gas emissions generated by motor vehicles.

“According to (documents) and interviews with senior officials, the goal was to urge members of Congress and state governors to oppose EPA approval of the new California motor vehicle standards,” Waxman said, adding that it is “not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars to organize a lobbying campaign to politicize this vital regulatory decision.”

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/waxman-wants-white-house-to-reject-dot-lobbying-effort-2007-09-24.html

[Trillo]

1. ICE (internal combustion engines) that get high mileage

are somewhat old technology, though they may not be American efforts. The Honda CVCC (Japanese) was one of the first, mid 70s was its debut. They approached 40 MPG.

That was 30 years ago!

By now, we should have vehicles getting in excess of 70 MPG, or we should have electric vehicles, or something completely off the gasoline and oil standard. I guess the Executive Branch's attitude is, "Can't allow that!"

[babylonsister]

2. No, their concerns are the bottom dollar, not emission standards. nt

[babylonsister]

3. Whoever was yearning for some positive news from the Dems, this

is some. :hi:

[Trillo]

4. I'm not certain I understand the authority of the executive branch

in this lobbying effort. I guess that's why it's another "secret" effort.

[babylonsister]

5. I don't think they have any authority, which is Waxman's point. nt