Al Gore takes Obama to task over ozone rules

Former Vice President Al Gore is condemning President Obama’s decision to back off stricter regulation of ozone emissions, saying he has “bowed to pressure from polluters” instead of “relying on science.”

In a posting on his official blog, Gore noted that Obama was disregarding the advice of his own EPA administrator, Lisa Jackson, who called the levels of pollution now allowed “not legally defensible.” In doing so, Gore writes, Obama has “embraced” the environmental views of his Republican predecessor.

“The result of the White House’s action will be increased medical bills for seniors with lung disease, more children developing asthma, and the continued degradation of our air quality,” Gore said.

Obama’s decision on controversial rules to cut smog levels was announced Friday, to the delight of the business community but roundly condemned by some in the president’s base.

In his announcement, Obama cited “the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty, particularly as our economy continues to recover.”