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Watchdog: EPA policy to protect scientists is ‘pathetically weak’
A coalition of government scientists blasted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed scientific integrity policy Monday, arguing it is “pathetically weak.”
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) said the draft policy unveiled by EPA Friday won’t prevent EPA's upper management from suppressing data and other technical information from the agency’s scientists.
“Under EPA’s plan to protect scientific integrity, only its scientists can be punished for misconduct as there are no firm rules against managers manipulating or masking technical work and no mechanism to enforce rules if they existed.”
PEER, a nonprofit representing federal workers focused on environmental issues, said the draft policy allows top EPA management to “screen information” from the agency’s scientists. The group points to language in the policy that says management must sign off on papers published by EPA scientists. PEER also takes issue with rules governing how scientists interact with the press.
“In the name of transparency, EPA has tightened the clamps on information flow as well as over what its specialists can say or write,” Ruch said. “EPA brags that it is ‘committed to operating as if in a fishbowl.’ Well, someone needs to clean the fishbowl, because it is getting pretty murky in there.”
EPA said Friday that its draft scientific integrity policy “reflects the Obama administration’s commitment to the ethical standards and transparency necessary for ensuring the highest quality science.”
The draft policy was issued in response to a 2010 White House memo that directed the agency to develop standards focused on scientific integrity, public communications, federal advisory committees and “professional development” of agency scientists.
"It is essential that EPA’s scientific and technical activities be of the highest quality and credibility if EPA is to carry out its responsibilities to protect human health and the environment," the draft policy says. "Honesty and integrity in its activities and decisionmaking processes are vital if the American public is to have trust and confidence in EPA’s decisions."
A task force composed of top EPA staff and the agency’s scientists developed the draft policy. Stakeholders can offer comment on the policy through Sept. 6.
EPA spokesman Brendan Gilfillan said the draft policy is based on “well-respected policies and practices” used by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
“[W]e welcome all feedback, which is exactly why it is being made available for public comment,” Gilfillan said in a statement.
This story was updated at 12:27 p.m.
