Carper Statement on EPA Resetting Membership for Key Scientific Advisory Panels

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), issued the following statement on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan’s decision to re-establish the membership of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).

“I’m pleased to see Administrator Regan keeping his pledge to restore science and transparency at EPA. Former Administrator Scott Pruitt eliminated qualified scientists from EPA’s advisory bodies and had them replaced with members who represented industry interests. This ‘fox guarding the henhouse’ approach stymied the agency’s ability to carry out its important work for the American people. The board leaders installed by the Trump Administration ignored conclusions from EPA career staff and instead recommended policies that favored special interests. I believe Administrator Regan’s decision to press the reset button represents real leadership and will help return EPA to its mission of protecting human health and the environment.”