July and August brought a whirlwind of EPN activity. Over 25 EPN volunteers worked collaboratively to submit 6 sets of comments to EPA/CEQ—including 5 sets of comments in 5 work days! We also grew both our staff and our membership.
Highlights of this update:
- EPN worked collaboratively with a coalition of environmental groups including Union of Concerned Scientists, EDF and Earthjustice to share and coordinate work on Censored Science
- EPN’s work on TSCA inspired significant press coverage on this important topic
- EPN worked collaboratively with Save EPA to submit comments on NEPA and Cost-Benefit Analysis
- EPN’s members were featured in dozens of media outlets and authored numerous op-eds
EPN’s Work on Censored Science
EPN Comments on EPA Censored Science Proposal to Restrict Use of Scientific Studies in Decision-making
EPN Members Voice Opposition to the Proposed Censored Science Rule at EPA Public Hearing
Censored Science: Attacks on Science
(April 2018-August 2018)
Censored Science In The News
US NGOs: ‘Science transparency’ policy contravenes TSCA
EPN comments on the censored science proposal are quoted in this article on the tension between the rule and TSCA requirements.
Don’t be silenced in the name of ‘transparency’
EPN member, Daria Devantier, calls on people to file comments with the EPA on their “transparency rule.” She is critical of the rule which will prevent EPA from using all science at their disposal.
EPA Officials Echo Wide-Ranging Concerns with Science Transparency Rule
The testimonies of EPN members Gary Timm, Lynn Goldman, and John Bachmann are featured in this article about responses to the EPA’s proposed “censored science” rule.
EPN’s Work on NEPA, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and WOTUS
EPN and Save EPA Comment on Possible Revisions of Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act
EPA Alumni Express Concerns about Possible Changes to How EPA Weighs Costs and Benefits in Decision-making
EPN Comments on Proposed Repeal of the Rule Defining the Waters of the United States
Related In The News Articles
Former EPA Staff Urge CEQ To Avoid NEPA Implementing Rule Changes
EPN and Save EPA submitted comments last week on proposed regulatory implementation revisions of NEPA. This week, those comments are quoted in this article on EPA staff response to NEPA rule changes.
EPA’s Bid for ‘Consistent and Transparent’ Rulemaking Draws Fire
EPN and Save EPA submitted comments this week on proposed changes to weighing cost-benefit analysis at EPA. Those comments are quoted in this article on EPA staff responses to CBA rule changes.
EPN’s Work on TSCA
EPN Comments on EPA’s Draft Guidance Document “Application of Systematic Review in TSCA Risk Evaluation”
EPN Comments on Draft Problem Formulations for Asbestos, HBCD and Carbon Tetrachloride
TSCA In The News
Blue-Collar Workers ‘Invisible’ as EPA Critiques Chemicals
EPN member Betsy Southerland is quoted, and EPN mentioned, in this article on the effects TSCA revisions would have on blue-collar workers.
E.P.A. Staff Objected to Agency’s New Rules on Asbestos Use, Internal Emails Show
Betsy Southerland, former Director of Science and Technology in the Office of Water and EPN member, is quoted in this article about the dangers of asbestos exposure under proposed TSCA revisions.
More examples of EPN In The News
In addition to the news articles above, EPN members contributed to a range of articles on topics such as Coal Ash, the proposed overhaul of the Clean Power Plan, the California waiver and fuel efficiency standards, and Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
New Federal Coal Ash Rules Unlikely To Impact Statewide Cleanup Plans
Stan Meiburg, EPN Board member and Advisor, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Regions 4 (Atlanta) and 6 (Dallas), and former EPA Acting Deputy Administrator, spoke to WFDD public radio about proposed coal ash rules and possible implications for North Carolina.
To kill climate rule, EPA wants to redefine danger of soot
EPN members John Bachmann and Janet McCabe are quoted in this article about the Clean Power Plan rollback and proposal to change cost-benefit analysis at the EPA.
Here’s how the EPA might be different under Andrew Wheeler
EPN members Steve Silverman and Janet McCabe are quoted about differences between Scott Pruitt and Andrew Wheeler. They discuss how Wheeler’s background in science and previous Washington experience will show in his behavior.
