Inhofe ties EPA chief to Obama’s ‘fine’ comment

Republicans — as well as Mitt Romney’s campaign — have pounced on Obama’s comment last week, where the president was trying to contrast private sector job growth with losses in the public sector.

But the comment sounded tone-deaf during an economic recovery that most economists agree has been sluggish at best. The president quickly walked it back, and Republicans have made it a pillar of their political attacks.

Inhofe is facing an uphill battle as he seeks votes to overturn EPA rules that require cuts in mercury emissions and other air toxics from coal-fired power plants. A vote is expected in coming days.

The conservative senator and other EPA critics say the rule forcing cuts in air toxics and separate regulations on smog-forming pollutants will harm the economy and cost jobs by leading to closure of plants.

Inhofe’s letter urges Jackson to pull back the air toxics rule to develop “more realistic economic and technical assumptions.”

But Jackson and other backers say the rules will provide major public health protections and the allegations of burdens are badly overblown.

Click here and here for more on the battle over the EPA rules.