Posted by Matt Dempsey matt_dempsey@epw.senate.gov

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Politico

Republicans challenge W.H. on science

By Erica Martinson

10/19/11 4:21 PM EDT

Three key GOP lawmakers on Wednesday charged in a letter to the White House that the administration has manipulated science to develop economically harmful policies, including the Yucca Mountain shutdown and last year's deepwater drilling moratorium.

Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, along with Rep. Darrell Issa of California, asked John Holdren, the White House's director of science and technology policy, for "an accounting of your activities in response to serious questions raised about the quality of science utilized by this administration," the letter says.

In particular, the three are looking for a detailed assessment of how the administration dealt with several "major scientific issues that have had, and will continue to have, significant implications on our struggling economy."

The letter cites the scientific process behind last year's moratorium on deepwater drilling, which President Barack Obama ordered after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill; reports that DOE did not properly assess the impact of its shutdown of the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository project; concerns over EPA's formaldehyde assessment raised by the National Research Council; and a California judge's ruling criticizing how the Interior Department restricted water allocations to farmers in an effort to protect the endangered Delta smelt.

The three lawmakers also released an information sheet saying the decisions cost 32,500 jobs and $31.4 billion in revenue impacts and lost activity.

Vitter has put holds on administration appointments to win concessions on Gulf drilling leases and the formaldehyde assessment. He also has received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from formaldehyde-related companies, trade groups and lobbyists, according to the nonprofit news site ProPublica.

The two Senate environment committee members have previously raised questions about the moratorium as well.

Vitter and Inhofe have also paired up to fight the Yucca Mountain closing. And Issa has often shown interest in California water resources issues, where the high-profile case pits endangered species against agricultural needs.