White House holds on to air quality papers

WASHINGTON, June 21 (UPI) -- The White House, citing executive privilege, has refused to release air quality documents sought by Congress, an official said.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has requested documents related to greenhouse gas emissions and ozone air quality standards, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Specifically, the papers concern White House intervention in EPA Administer Stephen Johnson's decision in December to overrule EPA officials who favored granting California and 17 other states permission to require a reduction of vehicle emissions by 30 percent by 2016.

"Administrator Johnson has repeatedly insisted he reached his decisions on California's petition and the new ozone standard on his own, relying on his best judgment," said committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. "Today's assertion of executive privilege raises serious questions about administrator Johnson's credibility and the involvement of the president."

In a letter to Waxman released Friday, Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle said by refusing to provide the papers the White House is acting "to preserve the confidentiality that is essential to the ability of current and future presidents to receive candid analyses, advice and recommendations" from senior advisers."