Enviros File FOIA Suit Seeking Details About White House EPA Meetings

"The Environmental Integrity Project filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit Tuesday seeking details about dozens of White House meetings with interest groups to discuss Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The non-profit group, which advocates for the enforcement of environmental rules, filed the lawsuit after receiving no response from the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to a January FOIA request seeking more details on the meetings."

"The request focuses on 65 meetings on four EPA rules, including 51 with industry groups like Exelon and 14 with public interest and environmental groups.

'Industry lobbyists have every right to meet with the White House about EPA rules,' Environmental Integrity Project Attorney Alayne Gobeille said in a statement. 'But the public ought to know what was said at these meetings and whether it influenced decisions that are supposed to protect our health and the environment.' "

Andrew Restuccia reports for The Hill's E2 Wire blog May 9, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Group Sues for Info on OIRA Meetings with Industry on EPA Air Rules" (Greenwire/Subscription Only)

Press Release: "EIP Files FOIA Suit To Obtain Details On 65 Clean Air Act Meetings With White House 'Regulatory Chokepoint'" (Environmental Integrity Project)