Top EPA Enforcement Officer Quits - Takes New Job At Wal-Mart

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON — "The Environmental Protection Agency's top enforcement official said he will leave his post later this month to become a lawyer for Sam's Club, a unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest company.

In a resignation letter to President Bush, John Suarez said on Monday that he will leave the EPA effective January 30. He gave no reason for his action, which came after his involvement in some controversial decisions giving coal-burning power plants more leeway to meet clean air regulations.

EDIT

In November, Suarez was involved in an initial decision by the Bush administration not to sue dozens of coal-burning utilities and other industries for past dirty air violations after easing pollution rules, according to EPA sources familiar with the situation. After environmental groups and Democrats criticized the plan, the EPA said it would pursue the cases.

A federal court last month halted the administration's plan to allow U.S. utilities and refiners to upgrade aging power plants without installing costly pollution-control devices."

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-06/s_11745.asp

[ugarte]

1. A perfect fit

There is no daylight between the Bush EPA and Sam's Club.

[joeybee12]

2. Good riddance--now can we have a REAL enforcement officer at the

EPA?????????????

[sallyseven]

3. Don't count on it

It will be a bush appointee. Not a real person.