EPA chief is under the microscope

Like the president, Johnson is a deeply religious man who says he relies on his faith in his work. Johnson prayed and spoke gratefully of early-morning prayer sessions held in his government office in a promotional video filmed there for an offshoot of a worldwide Christian ministry.

Tall, mild-mannered and bespectacled, Johnson, 56, is not a typical pick to be the nation's senior environmental official, a post often held by high-profile politicians. Johnson is the first career agency scientist to assume the top post, having toiled in relative obscurity overseeing pesticides before moving up the ranks under Presidents Clinton and Bush.

By all accounts Johnson, who declined to be interviewed, works long hours. He is described as a likable, bright and humorous man who weighs all sides before making policy decisions on national environmental issues that affect all Americans.

Mounting criticism

William Kovacs, vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said: "This guy is pretty straight. He listens to both sides. Look, I criticize EPA more than anybody. I think he's got a reputation for integrity. I think he's one of the better administrators we've had. . . . He's in a no-win position."

Johnson has faced mounting criticism for appearing to ignore scientific data and allegedly succumbing to White House influence.

On Thursday, Johnson weathered harsh questions from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee about why he denied California and more than a dozen other states the right to implement their own laws to cut greenhouse gases from vehicles, and whether political influence from the White House affected the decision. He has been sued by 16 governors on the issue. Johnson declined to discuss his conversations with Bush, and insists he made the decision independently.