Suarez Least Qualified for EPA enforcement job

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Bush's pick for EPA enforcement called unqualified

USA: May 8, 2002

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's choice for the top cop to enforce the

nation's environmental laws came under attack at a Senate hearing yesterday

for not having enough job experience.

Some Democrats said Suarez was unqualified to serve as head of the

Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement office because he has no

experience in environmental law. Suarez spent three years as Commissioner

for New Jersey's Division of Gambling Enforcement, and before that served

seven years as an assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey where he focused on

white-collar crimes such as mail fraud.

At a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, lawmakers

questioned whether Suarez's nomination indicated the administration was not

committed to going after companies that violate federal environmental laws.

" We need someone with an environmental enforcement record, " said Sen.

Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat. " We are not happy with the (EPA)

enforcement we see, " she added.

Boxer said Suarez was a " fine lawyer, " but his previous jobs did not give

him the experience needed to enforce air, water and land pollution laws.

Sen. Jeffords, the Vermont independent who chairs the environmental

panel, also wondered how Suarez could enforce EPA regulations with such

limited experience. " The statutes that cover environmental protection are

complex, " he said.

Suarez said he would seek the advice of EPA staff in pursing violations. " I

will continue to learn the law, " he said.

SUPPORTS PROGRAMS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OPPOSE

Hinting at his approach to enforcement, Suarez said he would support

programs that allow companies to voluntarily admit to environmental law

violations and then permit the firms to take remedial actions.

Environmental groups oppose such programs, arguing that companies can't be

trusted to police themselves.

Separately, Suarez said he would work closely with EPA regional offices and

states to enforce environmental regulations, but would not abdicate federal

enforcement authority. " I believe that a good enforcement official has the

stick and is not afraid to use it, " he said.

Green groups claim state enforcement is too weak and the tough hand of the

federal government is needed to protect the nation's land, air and water.

Suarez also promised to prosecute companies that violate the EPA's so-called

" new source review " regulations. The rule requires power plants, refineries

and other industrial sites to install expensive pollution control equipment

when new facilities are built or existing plants are modified.

The rules are currently being re-written by the Bush administration, and are

expected to be weakened.

A coalition of environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, American

Rivers and Friends of the Earth, said Suarez was the least qualified person

to be considered to head EPA's enforcement office in the last 15 years.

" There is no evidence that Mr. Suarez has ever dealt in any aspect of the

enforcement of state or federal environmental laws, " the groups said in a

letter to Jeffords.

Jeffords said he did not think Suarez's lack of environmental enforcement

experience meant his nomination was in trouble.

The chairman said he plans to schedule a committee vote on Suarez's

nomination soon. The full Senate would have to approve him for the EPA post.

Story by Tom Doggett

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE