After a paltry show of defiance by the Democrats, the newly appointed Michael Leavitt is taking control of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its 18,000 employees. The former Republican governor of Utah said, “I accepted this responsibility because I believe the president is committed to substantially more progress on the environment, and doing it in such a way that does not compromise our place in the world competitively.” Translation: I support big business. This appointment can do nothing but further degrade the quality of our environment – an apparent vendetta of the eco-ignorant Bush administration.

While business concerns need to be addressed, the EPA is not the forum for these issues. The EPA is the governmental advocate for environmental concerns at all times – regardless of business competitiveness.

The often oppositional demands of big business – such as the energy, auto, logging and fishing industries – are more than adequately addressed through other channels in the government. We do not believe these groups need a steadfast supporter in the EPA’s director. Lobby groups, campaign contributions and private meetings with elected officials give industrialists ample means to influence policy. If everyone is “balancing” the needs of corporate interest, who remains to advocate for the environment?

Republicans say Leavitt has a good environmental record, while many others point out numerous anti-environmental policies in his governorship. The fact of the matter is that “good” really is not good enough. Leavitt should have an utterly spotless eco-friendly record if he is to head the largest governmental organization exclusively devoted to the protection of the environment. After all, his duty is to recommend policy changes in support of environmental protection and not to create a government lobby for corporate interests.

The notion that the EPA needs pro-business leaders is absolutely ludicrous. Washington is already teeming with them. Shame on the Bush administration and the pansies in Democratic Party for allowing such an outrageous appointment come to pass.