Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today made the following remarks regarding the role that former EPA Administrator William K. Reilly played in urging current EPA Administrator Johnson to grant California's request for a waiver to regulate global warming pollution from vehicles:
Senator Boxer said: "We now know that not only was the professional staff of the EPA advising Administrator Johnson to grant the California waiver, but Bill Reilly, the EPA Administrator under President Bush's father, also contacted the EPA and discussed the serious implications of the decision with senior EPA staff. He then communicated his concern directly to Administrator Johnson. The bipartisan chorus of respected voices urging Mr. Johnson to do the right thing is overwhelming. The impact of the decision to deny the waiver has been devastating on the EPA, and Administrator Johnson must reverse course and grant California's petition now. We are losing precious time in cleaning up our air."
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