EPA waives fee requests for friendly groups, denies conservative groups

Michal Conger, May 14, 2013

Conservative groups seeking information from the Environmental Protection Agency have been routinely hindered by fees normally waived for media and watchdog groups, while fees for more than 90 percent of requests from green groups were waived, according to requests reviewed by the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

CEI reviewed Freedom of Information Act requests sent between January 2012 and this spring from several environmental groups friendly to the EPA’s mission, and several conservative groups, to see how equally the agency applies its fee waiver policy for media and watchdog groups. Government agencies are supposed to waive fees for groups disseminating information for public benefit.

“This is as clear an example of disparate treatment as the IRS’ hurdles selectively imposed upon groups with names ominously reflecting an interest in, say, a less intrusive or biased federal government,” said CEI fellow Chris Horner…...the EPA has denied CEI’s requests because his think tank is the most active group seeking to hold the agency accountable. “This is a clear pattern of favoritism for allied groups and a concerted campaign to make life more difficult for those deemed unfriendly,” he said.....To Read More….

My Take - Government agencies are supposed neutral regarding people, groups, information and application of their job responsibilities…..and so are the employees.   And that is the rub isn’t it?   These agencies are filled with activists with agendas that aren't necessarily compatible with their job responsibilities.  This really became a problem with FDR and the massive federal system he set up and became infiltrated by communists, spies and fellow travelers.  That kind of activism can only change when these agencies are eliminated.  The answer is simple and should be obvious to the most casual observer.  So what is lacking to get the job done?   Courage is what is lacking.