◼ Nine top business and industry officials walked into EPA headquarters Friday afternoon to tell agency chief Lisa Jackson exactly what they think of her plans to tighten the federal ozone standard. - Politico
Industry officials leaving the meeting are hoping for more sympathy from the White House after the administration's stated commitment to reducing regulatory burdens imposed on industry.
"It's a big test for the president," said John Engler, president of the Business Roundtable and a former Michigan governor. "But, I'm betting on the president, not the agency."
Prior to Friday's meeting, the Business Roundtable - a coalition of major U.S. companies - sent a letter to White House chief of staff Bill Daley asking EPA to back off of its plans, arguing that the final rule "promises to be the single most expensive environmental regulation ever imposed on the U.S. economy" and could cost up to $90 billion annually.
Engler denied critics' claims that industry was attempting to delay the review until 2013 - when the EPA's next draft rule is due - in the hopes of having a different president in charge.
However, Engler said, "I think the president's chances of being in there are better in 2013 if he makes the decision to support this being done in cycle." ◼ Discussion at Lucianne
