UCS exposes abuse of science at the EPA

[eridani]

This morning, the Union of Concerned Scientists released the results of its latest investigation into political interference in government science, this time at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report reveals an agency under significant pressure: hundreds of EPA scientists report political interference in their work, significant barriers to communicating scientific results with the public, and concerns about the agency’s effectiveness. http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/interference-at-the-epa.html

The EPA has distorted and censored science to justify decisions on global warming, mercury emissions, smog pollution, oil drilling, fuel efficiency, and countless other issues that impact our everyday lives. What’s more, the EPA has cut science out of the process when making critical decisions about our health, safety, and environment.

The new report details several steps the EPA and Congress can take to improve the way science informs decisions at the EPA, including:

increasing transparency in the regulatory process;
creating an agency communications policy that supports the right of scientists to speak openly about their research results; and
extending whistleblower protections to scientists who report misuse of science.
On Thursday, May 15 at 3:00 p.m. EST UCS will hold a telephone briefing for supporters who want to learn more about the report’s findings and our plan for improving scientific integrity at the EPA. We’ll also discuss other UCS Scientific Integrity Program priorities, including our most recent activity on Capitol Hill and our preparations for the presidential transition.

Please RSVP for the call by emailing us at [e-mail] and we will send you the call-in information.

We look forward to continuing to work with you as we advocate for increased oversight from Congress and specific reforms from the next president. Together, we can ensure the EPA upholds its mission to protect human health and the environment for future generations.

Sincerely,

Francesca T. Grifo, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist and Director
UCS Scientific Integrity Program

P.S. Congress is expected to conduct oversight hearings into the misuse of science in EPA policymaking in early May. We will let you know more when details are confirmed.

Sign up for the Restoring Scientific Integrity Network.
http://www.ucsusa.org/forms/rsi-network-enrollment-form.html