Contact:

Matt Dempsey (202) 224-9797 Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov

Katie Brown (202) 224-2160 Katie_Brown@epw.senate.gov

Inhofe EPA "Crucify" Oversight Efforts Continue

Introduces "EPA Regional Oversight Act of 2012"

Link to Press Release

Link to S. 3053

Watch Inhofe Senate Floor Remarks 

Washington, DC - Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today introduced a simple two-page bill that will require that the President appoint the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regional administrators “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”  Currently EPA regional directors are appointed by the President without having to undergo Senate confirmation. Senator Inhofe was joined by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), David Vitter (R-LA), James Risch (R-ID), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Robert Wicker (R-MS), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX),  John Hoeven (R-ND), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Patrick Toomey (R-PA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Tom Coburn (R-OK), John Barrasso (R-WY), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), and John Thune (R-SD).

“When EPA's recent 'crucify them' strategy towards American energy producers, proclaimed by the former EPA Region 6 Administrator, came to light, it brought attention to the serious lack of oversight on EPA's actions in these powerful regional offices,” Senator Inhofe said. “As that revealing video showed, EPA regional offices apparently have a tremendous amount of authority, but very little accountability. Therefore, it is important that the oversight committee have an understanding of not only what is taking place in each of the regional offices but where their direction comes from. It concerns me that the former Region 6 Administrator's admission that EPA was out to 'crucify' American energy producers was, according to EPA Administrator Jackson, simply an enforcement regulator going rogue -- especially when three EPA regional offices went after companies in Texas, Wyoming and Pennsylvania accusing them of water contamination, only to quietly walk back those claims later.

“My bill will provide an important opportunity to shine the light on recent EPA actions underway at the regional offices. I suspect that the Obama-appointed regional administrators are carrying out their global warming orders from President Obama as best they can, while President Obama pretends to be a friend of oil and gas for the election. This bill will help us learn the extent to which these regions are waging the Obama-EPA’s war on fossil fuels and affordable energy.

“I look forward to reaching out to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build support for this common-sense oversight legislation.”

What the Bill Does:

The “EPA Regional Oversight Act of 2012” is a simple two-page bill that will require that the President appoint the EPA’s regional administrators “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”

Should the legislation pass, the regional administrators who have not been approved by the Senate will be allowed to continue to serve at their posts until January 1, 2013.

Learn More: 

WASHPOST EDITORIAL: The EPA is earning a reputation for abuse

STRASSEL: The 'Crucify Them' Presidency

It is not just Armendariz: Inhofe EPW Press News Roundup

Inhofe: Armendariz's Resignation Does Not Solve Problem of EPA's Crucifixion Philosophy

Inhofe: EPA Apologized for Crucify Words Not Actions

Inhofe Announces Investigation into EPA's Crucify Them Strategy on American Energy Producers in Senate Floor Speech