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By Caroline Fuller Recess Appointment for Wehrum Likely
Boxer said that since Wehrum's tenure at EPA began in 2001, she has seen a "pattern of discounting health impacts and ignoring scientific findings" with respect to the agency's air policies. Wehrum has been involved in the EPA's recent rule to cut mercury emissions, EPA's New Source Review and a draft EPA rule that would lower the threshold for facilities to win exemptions from air toxics requirements. Defending Wehrum, Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla.; Christopher Bond, R-Mo.; and George Voinovich, R-Ohio; all defend the EPA's policies, including the mercury rule, and believe that Wehrum is well-qualified for this position.
U.S. Takes Steps In Auto Parts Case Against China
According to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Rob Portman, "China's regulations on imported parts appear to violate its WTO obligations." The European Union (EU) has joined the U.S. in its concerns over China's trade practices. According to USTR, China's WTO commitments limit its tariffs on imported auto parts to rates substantially below those on finished vehicles. Senate Finance ranking member Max Baucus, D-Mont., applauded the move - saying he has "long urged USTR to take strong enforcement action."
Little Follow-Up to '05 Energy Bill Expected
The Bush administration promotes mandatory controls of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The House of Representatives may renew a debate on several different proposals to strengthen energy supply that were rejected by Congress in 2005. These proposals could include encouragement to additional refining capacities, boosting of natural gas development and modernizing renewable energy projects on public land. In April 2006, Senate and House Democrats asked the White House to organize an "emergency bipartisan national energy summit" to address the United States' dependence on foreign oil.
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Copyright (c) 1996-2011. Automotive Service Association®. All rights reserved.
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George W. Bush, president, will likely appoint William Wehrum to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) assistant administrator for air and radiation. Due to likely opposition from many Democratic senators, Wehrum's appointment will probably come during a recess when no confirmation vote is needed. Recent EPA air policies have Democratic senators such as Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., concerned about Wehrum's Clean Air Act "interpretations."
