Experts for Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today to withdraw the \u201ccensored science\u201d proposal \u2013 a proposed rule that would bar the agency from considering some of our most important public health studies in making decisions about vital protections for human health and the environment.<\/p>\n
EPA held an all-day public hearing on its proposal at its Washington, D.C. headquarters today. EDF Senior Health Scientist\u00a0Jennifer McPartland<\/a>\u00a0was among the more than 100 Americans who were expected to testify.<\/p>\n \u201cEPA\u2019s proposed rule represents a total disregard for the agency\u2019s core mission: protection of human health and the environment,\u201d said McPartland\u00a0in her testimony<\/a>. \u201cIf finalized the rule will erode critical public health protections, and with them, the scientific integrity and public trust of the agency.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can\u00a0read McPartland\u2019s full testimony here<\/a>.<\/p>\n EPA\u2019s proposed rule closely resembles federal anti-science legislation that has been stalled in Congress for years, and has been\u00a0widely criticized<\/a>\u00a0by leading scientific organizations and public health organizations. The legislation was drafted by House Science Committee Chairman Rep. Lamar Smith and is misleadingly labeled the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment (HONEST) Act.<\/p>\n Before he left office, former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt began attempting to create a rule based on Rep. Smith\u2019s unsuccessful legislation \u2013 without seeking input from the agency\u2019s Scientific Advisory Board or other scientific bodies. EPA agreed to hold a public hearing on the proposal only after EDF and hundreds of others demanded an opportunity to voice their views.<\/p>\n At the hearing today, McPartland called on acting EPA chief Andrew Wheeler to retract the proposal.<\/p>\n