Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) led a letter with 70 of their colleagues to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt concerning the recent dismissal of several members of the EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors.
“It’s critical that the EPA continues to use the highest quality research when making policy decisions, and the recent dismissal of these Members of the Board of Scientific Counselors is very concerning,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “As the proud Representative of the Adirondacks, we rely on the important work being done by the EPA to protect our nation’s ecological treasures, and I urge Administrator Pruitt to maintain the highest scientific standards at this important agency.”
“I am alarmed by the removal of these highly qualified and knowledgeable experts and am concerned about the signal this action sends about the priorities of the EPA,” Foster said. “The Board of Scientific Counselors is tasked with advising on the technical issues of the EPA’s research programs and should be comprised of people whose views are grounded in scientific research, not industry insiders with conflicted interests.”
Earlier this month, half of the scientists on the EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors were dismissed. The Board of Scientific Counselors is charged with helping to ensure EPA research and regulations are grounded in credible scientific evidence.
The letter is available here.
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