"Lawmakers ‘Alarmed’ by EPA’s Science Board Changes"

"A group of mostly Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday slammed a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy designed to overhaul the agency’s scientific advisory panels.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, 62 members of the House said his new policy blocking scientists who receive EPA grants from serving on the agency’s science panels is an “arbitrary and unnecessary limitation to disqualify preeminent experts” from advising the agency.

“We are alarmed at the signal this sends about the EPA's willingness to seek out objective, independent scientific expertise in fulfilling its mandate to protect the environment,” the members wrote in their letter.

“The [Science Advisory Board] has been well-respected because of its historical inclusion of independent, objective scientists from both academic and industry backgrounds.”"

Devin Henry reports for The Hill November 7, 2017.