Senator holds up EPA nominee over climate study

WASHINGTON - A Republican senator is blocking the nomination of a top Environmental Protection Agency official over what he calls a flawed study of the climate bill recently passed in the House.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said the hold is unrelated to the qualifications of Robert Perciasepe, nominated to become the EPA's deputy administrator.

Voinovich said the EPA analysis of the House climate bill fails to thoroughly review its impact on the economy. In a letter to the agency, he asked officials to conduct such a review.

An EPA spokeswoman said Wednesday that the request is being considered.

The EPA said the bill's overall impact on the average household would be 22 to 30 cents per day. However, Republicans claim the cost is much higher.

Senate rules allow a single lawmaker to hold up a nomination by the president.

(This version CORRECTS to show that the EPA response came Wednesday, not the Voinovich request.)

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