Nearly all of Bush’s advisers work outside Washington, and a good portion come from business-friendly think tanks. Result: a business-friendly environmental policy that seeks to take enforcement away from Washington.
ADVISER
Terry Anderson
BUSINESS CARD
Executive Director, Political Economy Research Center, Bozeman, Montana
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
His think tank’s motto: “Free-market solutions to environmental problems.” Thinks National Parks system should be financially self-sufficient.
CASTING CALL
Could get a policy slot, but too controversial for a prominent public job.
ADVISER
Christopher DeMuth
BUSINESS CARD
President, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
As former executive director of Reagan’s Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief, he chaired Bush’s environmental tutoring. Compares enviro regs to the pre-reform welfare system.
CASTING CALL
The likeliest next administrator of the EPA.
ADVISER
Mary Gade
BUSINESS CARD
Partner, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal, Chicago
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
Spent 13 years as a federal EPA administrator and eight as director of the Illinois EPA; wants power to stay with the states. Supports “emissions credits” incentives for polluters.
CASTING CALL
Another candidate for EPA head.
ADVISER
Gale Norton
BUSINESS CARD
Senior Counsel, Brownstein, Hyatt and Farber, Denver
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
Take enviro power away from Washington.
CASTING CALL
Colorado’s attorney general throughout the 90s could become the next Janet Reno.
ADVISER
Marc Racicot
BUSINESS CARD
Governor of Montana
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
Kill bison that wander out of Yellowstone to prevent the spread of disease to cattle. Make Endangered Species Act more state-friendly.
CASTING CALL
In line for Secretary of the Interior, which traditionally goes to a western governor.
ADVISER
Lynn Scarlett
BUSINESS CARD
Executive Director, Reason Public Policy Institute, Los Angeles
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
“Results-oriented” regulations that focus on environmental improvement rather than punishment.
CASTING CALL
A good choice for chairman of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality.
ADVISER
James Seif
BUSINESS CARD
Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
Big on cleaning up brownfields—old industrial sites—for sale and development: make a profit doing good.
CASTING CALL
A close ally to Pennsylvania’s popular Governor Tom Ridge; could get EPA or Park Service.
ADVISER
John Turner
BUSINESS CARD
President, Conservation Fund
BIG WONK THOUGHTS
Former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under both Bush and Clinton, he wants tax breaks for species-preserving landowners.
CASTING CALL
Possible high-up job in Interior.