Actually, the EPA gets credit for having much more authority than they actually have. Their main function is to issue licenses, collect fees and regulate waste disposal. They do set some guidelines, and can do Environmental Impact Studies for Congress and the Legislature when requested, but their actual enforcement authority is limited to licensing violations. Mostly what they do is agree with the President, no matter what his position is. And any guidelines or regulations they come up with are subject to both Legislative, Executive and Judicial review and can be over-ridden by almost anyone higher up than G-5. All other Enforcement would be up to the Department of the Interior, OSHA, or other apropriate branch.
They are, in effect, mostly a 'Paper Tiger'.

I think you'll probably find that Mr. Johnson is also a "Paper Tiger". While he does have a BS in Biology and an MS in Pathology, he has never worked as a "professional scientist". At Hazelton Labs and Litton Bionetics he was Director Of Operations....an Administrator, not a "professional scientist". He has been an Administrator with the EPA for 24 years. The EPA does not do research. They contract it out to private firms. So that would not qualify as a job for a " professional scientist" either. He is a career goverment employee. So far, his main acomplishmnet has been to get the EPAs' budget reduced by 5.6%.

Make no mistake. He was selected for his loyalty to the Administration, not for any stand in issues, which he has never taken. He has consistantly backed Bushes' Clear Skies Bill, which takes a very weak stance on Mercury Pollution, and is very controversial. If confirmed, it will still be business as usual on the Hill.

[This message has been edited by Gigmaster (edited 28 March 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Gigmaster (edited 28 March 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Gigmaster (edited 28 March 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Gigmaster (edited 28 March 2005).]