In the News

EPN executive director Michelle Roos and Jeremy Symons, senior advisor to EPN, were mentioned in an article by E&E News after one of the authors of The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025’s chapter on EPA tweeted, “Could someone get me a full list of all the folks in this group? Just asking for a friend.” The tweet was in response to E&E’s August 5, 2024, story, which highlighted EPN’s work during the previous administration. The article recalled the 1983 “hit list” of 90 EPA scientists compiled by Reagan appointees.

Bill Jordan, ​​former Deputy Director, EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, was quoted in Common Dreams supporting EPA’s immediate suspension of Dacthal, a dangerous pesticide commonly used on crops such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and onions, due to its effects on unborn children.

EPN board member Stan Meiburg, EPN executive director Michelle Roos, and Jeremy Symons, senior advisor to EPN, were mentioned in an E&E News article that focused on all the accomplishments that the Environmental Protection Network has achieved over the last 3.5 years and our continued readiness to advocate for strong environmental policies.

Tracey Woodruff, former EPA senior scientist and policy advisor in the Office of Policy and Director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at UCSF, was quoted in AP News about the presence of microplastics in human body tissue and the concerning research emerging about how the particles affect the body.

Ronnie Levin, former Senior Scientist, EPA Region 1, was quoted in a New Republic article about how Florida is slated to receive the most federal funding to replace lead pipes around the country despite estimates of having very few lead pipes. Ronnie notes the EPA program will punish states that have been proactive about lead line replacement and will reward states that have done the least.

Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program, was quoted in The Guardian about the high levels of PFAS found in certain brands of condoms and lubricants and urged manufacturers to immediately remove the chemicals.

Elin Betanzo, former water quality engineer, EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water and National Tribal Drinking Water Coordinator, penned an op-ed in Planet Detroit answering commonly asked questions about Michigan’s 2018 Lead and Copper Rule revisions and providing easily accessible community data for Michigan residents.

Bob Sussman, former EPA Deputy Administrator and Senior Policy Counsel to the EPA Administrator, was quoted in Bloomberg Law about a lawsuit against the EPA arguing that the agency failed to act on conclusive data showing that PFAS harms public health, a violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 and founder of Beyond Plastics, was quoted in The Washington Post about Beyond Plastics’ most recent report that called EPA to research bioplastics and expressed concern about current plastic regulations.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in Politico about EPA’s chapter in Project 2025 which maps out plans to cut climate regulations, going beyond what was done in Trump’s first administration.

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 and founder of Beyond Plastics, was quoted in The Guardian about Shell’s failed pledge to recycle plastics via pyrolysis because of slow technology development and market changes.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in The Lancet about how the overturning of the Chevron doctrine will slow down recent EPA regulations and federal agencies will have to be careful in interpreting legislation moving forward.

Betsy Southerland, former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, was quoted in The Port City Daily about the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission delaying regulatory action on PFAS water standards.

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 and founder of Beyond Plastics, was quoted in Politico about a recent Beyond Plastics report that finds plastic terminology confusing to consumers and calls on EPA to research how bioplastics affect the environment.

Bob Sussman, former EPA Deputy Administrator and Senior Policy Counsel to the EPA Administrator, was quoted in Bloomberg Law about the Loper Bright case, saying that despite the overturning of Chevron, courts can still rely on agencies for expertise and knowledge.

Ronnie Levin, former EPA Senior Scientist in Region 1, was quoted in WESA Pittsburgh about her 2023 analysis of EPA’s proposed Lead and Copper Improvements and the projected $9 billion in healthcare savings every year by replacing lead service lines.

Ronnie Levin, former EPA Senior Scientist in Region 1, was quoted in The Chicago Reader about the city’s lead service line problem, including the high replacement costs, slow progress of city replacement programs, and the difficulty of recording consistent lead levels across different types of pipes.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in The Hill about the recent rulings’ effects on environmental policies and how the Corner Post decision is especially concerning because no federal rule can ever be fully settled.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in Heatmap as one of nine lawyers who were asked about the recent Supreme Court Rulings, saying that the effects of these decisions will be profound and should concern both conservatives and progressives.

Walter Mugdan, former EPA Region 2 Deputy Regional Administrator and Superfund Director, was quoted in Inside EPA about how overturning the Chevron deference will affect EPA’s recent designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA and whether or not the designations have questionable statutory interpretation that can be challenged in court.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in Government Executive about the consequences of weakening the Chevron doctrine, saying that “The Chevron cure announced by the court will be worse than the disease.”

Kevin Minoli, former EPA Acting General Counsel, was quoted in Inside EPA about the Supreme Court’s decision on Ohio, et al. v. EPA, et al., in which the court granted industry groups an emergency halt to EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan while it is reviewed in a D.C. appellate court, and the future implications of this decision.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in E&E News about the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the Chevron doctrine and projected how it will effect the EPA and environmental policy if weakened.

Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in E&E News about EPA’s challenges of navigating budget cuts while also implementing policy and continuing its core duties.