Ms. Jewell, who joined the REI board in 1996 and rose to CEO in 2005, has been central to campaigns that have squelched thousands of jobs in the name of environmental purity.

WSJ: Strassel: A Jewell Who's Rough on Jobs

For the past eight years, Ms. Jewell has been the CEO of REI, one of America's most successful and environmentally conscious retailers.

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When former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire in 2006 announced she'd fight the Bush administration's effort to inject some flexibility into the rule, she held her press conference at REI's headquarters, flanked by Ms. Jewell.

WSJ: Strassel: A Jewell Who's Rough on Jobs