Energy Environmental Blog

"Smoking Gun" Memo

Written by Greg Russell | May 12, 2009 6:39:21 PM

This is interesting (politics).  Today, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is holding a hearing on U.S. EPA's 2010 budget proposal.  While questioning EPA Administrator Jackson, Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) produced a memorandum reportedly from White House Counsel to EPA that he characterized as a "smoking gun" because it suggests a lack of scientific support for EPA's proposed finding that greenhouse gases are a danger to public health.  An OMB spokesperson has apparently confirmed that it was prepared by the President's administrative staff.

Video of the questioning, as well as a copy of the memorandum, can be found here.