Quigley Statement on EPA’s Removal of Scientists From Independent Advisory Boards

WASHINGTON —Today, Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environments Coalition (SEEC), released the below statement following recently announced changes to science advisory boards at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

"Today's announcement by the EPA is further proof of Administrator Pruitt's intent to move the agency away from its core mission and to transform it into an agent of science deniers and polluters who put personal profits over public health and environmental stewardship," said Rep. Quigley. "EPA, and the federal government more broadly, have long been vital catalysts for sound science in support of public interest. By excluding the views of award-winning scientists who have worked in the public sphere, Pruitt is priming key advisory boards to be disproportionately influenced by the private interests the EPA is charged with regulating. These boards must remain independent and ensure that science and facts reign over partisan politics. Unfortunately, this Administration has shown an eagerness to abandon reason and research and welcome interference by politically-motivated appointees dead-set on tearing down protections that keep Americans healthy and our environment clean."

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has dismissed members of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, including independent academic scientists who have received agency-awarded grants in the past. Under Pruitt's changes, the new SAB will consist of five fewer members than it did before, operating with 42 instead of 47 members. According to its new charter, it will also meet fewer times, 6-8 instead of 8-10 each year. The number of women scientists on the committee has been slashed by half from nearly 21 to just 10, while the number of industry representatives has more than doubled. The decision not to renew the terms of six individuals who had already been fully vetted and were qualified to serve again also breaks with precedent. The Union of Concerned Scientists detail more of these changes here.

Rep. Quigley has been an outspoken opponent of Administrator Pruitt's efforts to undermine our environmental health and sustainability, challenging him to several debates to discuss the merits of man-mad climate change. In July, Rep. Quigley offered an amendment to protect EPA regional offices from irresponsible closings. In September, he led his colleagues in sending a letter to Administrator Pruitt on the need to boost emergency preparedness following deadly storms that hit Texas and Florida.