Vermont leaders expressed dismay at an effort by the Bush administration to oppose new state rules designed to reduce vehicle carbon emissions, amid growing concern the rules will be rejected by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Associated Press reported.
Gov. Jim Douglas (R), who co-chaired President Bush’s Vermont campaigns in 2000 and 2004, was “disappointed” in an effort by the Bush administration to scuttle emissions rules adopted first by California and later by Vermont, Maine and several other states, AP reported.
According to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform documents, the administration was lobbying behind the scenes with approval from the White House, help from the automobile industry and under the direction of U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, AP said.
Douglas’ staff is drafting a letter to the White House “outlining the governor’s frustration and concern,” according to a staff member, AP reported.
Word of the lobbying campaign has added to pessimism the EPA will take the rare step of denying a request by California for a waiver under the Clean Air Act, AP said.
