EPA accused of improper lobbying for water rule

American Legislator ^ | 5-19-15 | John Eick

[ThethoughtsofGreg]

The New York Times has an article worth reading discussing EPA’s efforts to influence comments submitted to them by the public regarding the agency’s and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal to redefine “Waters of the United States (WOTUS).”

Notably, Gina McCarthy, administrator of EPA, went before a Senate committee earlier this year touting the fact that almost 90 percent of all comments submitted expressed support for the rule as proposed. It turns out that many of these comments were submitted as a result of an unprecedented outreach initiative, which is being led by a former Obama campaign staffer.

Thunderclap (a “crowdspeaking” platform) messages were apparently sent by EPA to over 1.8 million people. EPA also made extensive use of other more traditional forms of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

[BenLurkin]

The EPA is not answerable to any law.

[winner3000]

Is there any governmental data that the Obama administration hasn’t politicized or at least tried to improperly influence so as to not be either accurate, or representative?

[rktman]

In our best interests of course. SOMEbody has to do it.

[1010RD]

Wait a minute. Are you saying that government isn’t neutral, takes positions and works to expand its power? It’s almost as if you’d have me believe that government is made up of human beings suffering from the Seven Deadly Sins and, now that they have power, going for them with gusto.

[G Larry]

I submit that EVERYTHING the EPA has done in the last 10 years has been “improper”.

[hadaclueonce]

Just wait until conservatives have a majority...

Well, I am still waiting for someone to do something about the EPA. Hello? No more terse emails, no more lectures to the states to ignore, do something!

I believe that a majority of the GOP-e are happy with their supplemental income provided by the Lobbyist.

We vote, they swear an oath and then sell us out for money.