Scientific Organizations Criticize EPA ' s Proposed Transparency Rule

AIBS has joined a coalition of scientific organizations in expressing concerns with a supplemental addition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science,” that would bar the use of scientific studies in crafting regulations unless the underlying data “are publicly available in a manner sufficient for independent validation.” The supplemental notice to the proposed rulemaking, which was published on March 18, 2020, would further broaden restrictions on the type of scientific studies EPA can use when crafting regulations. The agency initially provided 30 days to submit comments on the supplemental addition, but later extended the comment period by another 30 days until May 18. Expressing strong opposition to the supplemental, a group of 55 public health, medical, academic, and scientific organizations wrote: “Like the original proposed rule, this supplemental proposal would undermine sound science and put Americans’ health and the environment at risk. We are deeply concerned with EPA’s continued efforts to impede the use of critical science and implore the agency to withdraw the proposal.” Another coalition of 38 scientific, engineering, and higher education organizations submitted joint comments to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing concerns that the proposal would undermine EPA’s ability to use the best available science in crafting regula...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news