GOP Lawmakers Probe Green Group’s Role on Carbon Rule

Two leading congressional Republicans have launched an investigation into a major environmental nonprofit’s alleged influence on the Obama administration’s crafting of a key climate change regulation, reports The New York Times. Rep. Darrell Issa and Sen. David Vitter contend the Environmental Protection Agency improperly colluded with the Natural Resources Defense Council on the proposed rule, which would force power plants to sharply cut carbon emissions and is opposed by Republicans and the coal industry.

Mr. Issa and Mr. Vitter chair the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, respectively. They point to email exchanges between Gina McCarthy, the EPA administrator, and employees of the council, an influential advocacy group on climate issues. EPA officials said the agency sought input from hundreds of entities in drafting the regulation, including state regulators and labor and industry groups as well as environmental advocates.