GAO to take White House to court over energy meetings

General Accounting Office officials Friday said they are preparing to possibly take the White House to court to try to obtain information about how Vice President Dick Cheney crafted the administration's energy policy, Reuters reported.

"We are finalizing discussions with key congressional leaders and are preparing for possible litigation," Comptroller General David Walker said in a statement. "This is a very significant matter with significant potential implications for the GAO, Congress and the American people."

The White House had no immediate comment.

The White House Thursday rejected a demand to turn over documents sought by Congress in an inquiry into how the Bush administration's energy policy was formulated and the extent of energy industry influence on the comprehensive plan.

GAO asked for the names of energy industry executives who consulted with the White House or face a possible lawsuit, but Cheney's office let the Thursday deadline lapse without providing all requested information.

GAO said in a statement the information it received "is clearly inadequate" and that it "has not received a certification letter" from Bush or the Office of Management and Budget "in connection with the balance of the information."