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EPA Asserts Executive Privilege In CA Emissions Case

Brad Eleven writes "The AP reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invoked executive privilege to justify withholding information in its response to a lawsuit. The state of California is challenging the agency's decision to block their attempt to curb the emissions from new cars and trucks. In response, the EPA has delivered documents requested by the Freedom of Information Act for the discovery phase of the lawsuit — but the documents are heavily redacted. That is, the agency has revealed that it did spend many hours meeting to discuss the issue, but refuses to divulge the details or the outcomes of the meetings. Among the examples cited, 16 pages of a 43-page Powerpoint presentation are completely blank except for the page titles. An EPA spokesperson used language similar to other recent claims of executive privilege, citing 'the chilling effect that would occur if agency employees believed their frank and honest opinions and analysis expressed as part of assessing California's waiver request were to be disclosed in a broad setting.'"

2 of 390 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Oh, spare me. by ScrewMaster · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Have you been to Los Angeles?

    Yes. Recently. And I wouldn't choose to live there.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  2. Re:Seriously, it's time for house cleaning by sumdumass · · Score: 0, Redundant

    If it sits there long enough, it dries up and stops smelling. You can use it as furniture and most won't know the difference.