Bush backs shunned nominees

"The concern was that there was collusion," Wehrum said in an interview. "I categorically deny that."

In late 2005, Wehrum became acting air administrator, a promotion that expires July 7. Bush's appointment would keep him in the job.

Wehrum's decisions continue to generate controversy among the EPA's independent science advisory panels and career staff.

Responding to a request from battery manufacturers, Wehrum's office proposed in December to discontinue maximum limits for lead in the air, noting that levels nationally had plunged since the phase-out of leaded gasoline.

An advisory committee of 22 outside scientists is attacking that plan.

Recent scientific evidence has shown that even lower levels can be harmful, particularly to children. The current standard is "totally inadequate" and should be "lowered substantially," said the panel's chairwoman, respiratory biochemist Rogene Henderson.

Panel members also complained that the EPA's air office did not explore other options and had not fully analyzed the health risks.

After Henderson raised those concerns with Wehrum, he agreed to order additional research and allow the scientists to review it before deciding on lead levels.

But critics are wary: The EPA air office, under Wehrum and his predecessor, has promised to revisit rules on mercury and formaldehyde if new evidence emerges -- yet despite subsequent studies showing that the agency understated the risks of both substances, it has not revisited the rules.

To replace the retired inspector general who criticized the EPA's work on the mercury rule, the administration has recommended Beehler, a Pentagon official and former executive for Koch Industries, a private oil and chemical conglomerate based in Wichita, Kan.

The inspector general independently oversees EPA management, conducting audits and investigations. The EPA said last month that it would eliminate 30 staffers from the inspector general's office.

Hired as the Pentagon's No. 2 environment manager in 2004, Beehler was involved in an ongoing effort to influence EPA consideration of a health standard for perchlorate, a rocket fuel component, according to Defense Department documents.

Perchlorate, which can damage thyroid function and impair fetal brain development, is contaminating water in at least 25 states, including California, according to the EPA.