Sen. Jeffords blocks Bush EPA nominees

WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., has placed holds on four of President Bush's nominees for EPA posts, citing the agency's refusal to provide him with information.

Jeffords announced the move late Wednesday, saying he was protesting the fact that he has been "stonewalled" in trying to get filled 12 requests he had made over the last three years for documents from agency officials.

The majority of the requests were made before administrator Mike Leavitt replaced former Environmental Protection Agency chief Christine Tod Whitman.

They relate mostly to Bush administration changes to air pollution regulations that have eased requirements for power plant operators to also install modern pollution controls when updating their equipment.

The congressional ire is not limited to Jeffords, who votes in line with Senate Democrats. Environmental and Public Works Committee Chairman Inhofe supports Jeffords' right to ask for the information as ranking member on the committee.

The hold affects the nominations of Stephen Johnson to be deputy administrator of the agency, Ann Klee to be EPA general counsel, Charles Johnson to be chief financial officer and Benjamin Grumbles to oversee the EPA Office of Water.