WASHINGTON - U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt requesting a planned June 14 “EPA Scientific Integrity Annual Stakeholder Meeting” be made open to the public. EPA’s Scientific Integrity Official, Dr. Francesca Grifo, invited 45 individuals and organizations to a scientific integrity meeting whose overall mix skews decidedly toward pro-regulation environmental activism, which directly contradicts the EPA scientific integrity program’s mission.
“Unfortunately, despite this stated commitment to inclusivity, outreach, and a belief in the importance of promoting scientific integrity to build public support, the June 14 stakeholder meeting appears to be markedly exclusive. While Dr. Grifo included a number of respected scientists and non-political scientific organizations in her 45 meeting invitations, only one invitation was sent to an organization that is readily identifiable as representing the views and interests of industries impacted by agency decisions underpinned by EPA’s scientific programs. It does not appear that any state environmental or scientific officials received invitations to attend despite the clear impact of EPA’s scientific programs on regulations and other agency actions on states. On the other hand, a significant number of environmental and other left-leaning activist organizations apparently have received invitations,” the letter states.
During the previous administration, the committee documented numerous instances of the politicization of EPA scientific and regulatory processes.
Today’s letter can be found here.