E.P.A. Announces a New Rule. One Likely Effect: Less Science in Policymaking.

The following article by Lisa Friedman was posted on the New York Times website April 24, 2018:

Scott Pruitt, center. Credit: Andrew Harnik/AP

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new regulation Tuesday that would restrict the kinds of scientific studies the agency can use when it develops policies, a move critics say will permanently weaken the agency’s ability to protect public health.

Under the measure, the E.P.A. will require that the underlying data for all scientific studies used by the agency to formulate air and water regulations be publicly available. That would sharply limit the number of studies available for consideration because much research relies on confidential health data from study subjects. Continue reading “E.P.A. Announces a New Rule. One Likely Effect: Less Science in Policymaking.”