Trump’s EPA Team Overrules Career Scientists on Toxic Chemical
Betsy Southerland, EPN member and former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, was quoted in this article about changes to the safety assessment for the chemical PFBS, which overruled findings by EPA career officials.
Trump Leaves Murky Superfund Legacy
Bill Muno, EPN member and former Superfund Director in Region 5, was quoted in this article regarding how EPA’s Superfund Program was managed during the Trump administration.
How to Fix Chemical Policymaking at EPA
January 12, 2021 / by
Tracey Woodruff /
University of California, San Francisco Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment
Tracey Woodruff, EPN member and former EPA senior scientist and policy advisor in the Office of Policy, wrote this blog post on fixing chemical policymaking at EPA.
How the Supreme Court could Upend Biden’s Green Agenda
Mustafa Santiago Ali, EPN member and former Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was quoted in this article regarding how the Supreme Court can act as a block on President-elect Biden’s climate change agenda.
Local Environmentalists Seek Stronger Regulations With New Administration
Judith Enck, EPN member and former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2, was quoted in this article regarding demands for stronger environmental regulations when the incoming Biden administration comes into office.
Overnight Energy: EPA Preps for Transition with unusual Change to Succession Orders
Stan Meiburg, EPN member and former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in this article on the line of succession at EPA.
Trump EPA Rule Restricts How Science Is Used in Environmental Regulations, Gives Polluters Cause For Legal Challenges
Janet McCabe, EPN member and former Acting Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, was quoted in this article regarding the finalization of EPA’s “Censored Science” rule.
New Trump EPA Rule Against “Junk Science” Trashes Real Science
EPN members Betsy Southerland, former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, and Chris Zarba, former Director, EPA Science Advisory Board, were quoted in this article regarding the finalization of the “Censored Science” rule, which would change how public health studies can be used for future pollution control rules. Betsy was quoted in similar articles by Bloomberg, Politico, and E&E News.
For First Time in 5 years, US Gas Mileage Down, Emissions Up
Jeff Alson, EPN member and former Senior Engineer and Policy Adviser, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in this article concerning a new government report that found model year 2019 saw a decline in U.S. vehicle gas mileage and an increase in associated carbon emissions.
A Look at Biden’s Pick to Run EPA, Michael Regan, and the Challenges he Faces
EPN members Betsy Southerland, former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, and Eric Shaeffer (EIP Executive Director) were interviewed here about President-elect Biden’s selection of Michael Regan for EPA administrator.
EPA Finalizes Rule to Limit Science Behind Public Health Safeguards
EPN members Tom Sinks, former Director, EPA Office of the Science Advisor, and Chris Zarba, former Director, EPA Science Advisory Board, were quoted in this article about the finalization of the “Censored Science” rule, which would change what public health studies EPA can use to create future pollution controls. Tom and Chris were quoted in a similar article by Common Dreams. Tom was also quoted in articles by Axios and Earth Island Journal.
Trump Administration Finalizes Its Garbage ‘Secret Science’ Rule
John Bachmann, EPN member former Associate Director for Science and Policy and New Programs, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, was quoted in this article concerning EPA’s finalized “Censored Science” rule, which would require public health scientists to disclose their raw data in order for their research to be considered in pollution control rules. John was also quoted in a similar article by Utility Dive.
EPA Unveils Controversial Rule That Could Weaken Role of Key Research
Chris Zarba, EPN member and former Director, EPA Science Advisory Board, was quoted in this article on EPA’s finalization of its “censored science” rule, which would deprioritize scientific studies that rely on confidential public health data. Chris was quoted in similar articles by the Associated Press, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Guardian, CQ Roll Call, Reuters, S&P Global, Washington Examiner, Government Executive, and EcoWatch among others.
How Safe is Rockland’s Drinking Water? Coalition Hearing to Put Toxins Under a Microscope
Judith Enck, EPN member and former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2, was quoted in this article concerning the safety of the drinking water in Rockland County, New York.
Biden Urged to Flood Agencies With Environmental Equity Advisers
Mustafa Santiago Ali, EPN member and former Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was quoted in this article regarding the prioritization of environmental justice in the incoming Biden administration.
Indiana Less Prepared For Health Effects From Severe Storms, Tick Diseases
Janet McCabe, EPN member and former Acting Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, was quoted in this article concerning Indiana’s ill-preparedness for the health effects of climate change.
Concerns About Norlite Plant Continue Despite New State, City of Cohoes Restrictions
Judith Enck, EPN member and former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2, was quoted in this article about the continued burning of PFAS by a Norlite Incinerator in the city of Cohoes, NY, despite new restrictions on the practice.
Activists Eye a Superfund Reboot Under Biden With a Focus on Environmental Justice and Climate Change
Kathy Setian, EPN member and former Region 9 Superfund Project Manager, was quoted in this article concerning the current status of the Superfund Program and steps the incoming Biden administration can take to rectify it. This article was reprinted in NBC News and Yahoo News.
The Resistance: In the President’s Relentless War on Climate Science, They Fought Back
EPN members Jeff Alson (former Senior Engineer and Policy Adviser, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality), Dan Costa (former National Program Director, EPA Air, Climate, and Energy Research Program, Office of Research and Development), Tom Sinks (former Director, EPA Office of the Science Advisor), and Chris Zarba (former Director, EPA Science Advisory Board) were quoted and EPN was mentioned in this article concerning the current administration’s combative relationship with science at EPA.
EPA Leaves Ozone Pollution Standard Unchanged
John Bachmann, EPN member and former Associate Director for Science and Policy and New Programs, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, was quoted in this article regarding EPA’s decision to retain current national ozone standards set in 2015. John was quoted in a similar article by E&E News.
Mustafa Santiago Ali: America’s Road to Environmental Justice
Mustafa Santiago Ali, EPN member and former Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was interviewed on this podcast regarding environmental justice.
EPA Finalizes New Lead and Copper Rules for Drinking Water
Mustafa Santiago Ali, EPN member and former Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was quoted in this article regarding EPA’s recently finalized Lead and Copper Rule. Mustafa was also quoted in a similar article in The Hill.
Trump Administration Keeps Existing Smog Limits, Rejecting Calls to Toughen Them
Bernard Goldstein, former Chair, EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, was quoted in this article concerning EPA’s decision to not strengthen the existing national ozone standards. Bernard was quoted in a similar article in The Wall Street Journal.
EPA Requires Lead Testing for Schools, Day Care Centers, But Fails to Speed Up Lead Line Removal
Betsy Southerland, EPN member and former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, was quoted and EPN was mentioned in this article regarding the finalization of EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule.