EPA Head Mum About White House Waiver Scandal

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the Environmental Protection Agency refused to say Wednesday whether the White House sought to influence his decision denying California a waiver needed to implement a tailpipe emissions-reduction law.

Appearing before the Senate Environment Committee, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson deflected repeated questions from Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., about any White House role in the decision in December blocking California and at least 16 other states from implementing the emissions reductions.

Johnson acknowledged having routine discussions about the issue with White House officials and others but refused to say whether the White House gave him any input.

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