A bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter Friday to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Stephen Johnson questioning him about a closed-door meeting he supposedly had with Texas Gov. Rick Perry on July 9.
A story on Brownfield said the meeting was to discuss Perry's request to cut the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) by 50%. Reports said Johnson told Perry he'd put off any final decision on Perry's request for the time being.
In the letter sent to Johnson, the Senators said they “expect a fair and open decision-making process on this matter that includes a good-faith consideration of the concerns of all interested parties. We cannot accept and will not tolerate decisions on the RFS that are made behind closed doors and in concert with only the Governor of Texas.”
They also ask for “an immediate meeting with you and your staff that is docketed, or otherwise officially noted” to gather information about the Perry meeting, learn about agreements between EPA and Perry on the waiver request and “for you to assure us that EPA is following the law and the proper decision-making process.”
Senators that signed the letter include Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Tim Johnson (D-SD), John Thune (R-SD), Kit Bond (R-MO), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.).
To view the response by Senator Ben Nelson, click here. To view Grassley’s full news release, and to view a copy of the letter, click here.
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