http://www.npr.org/2017/10/28/560554685/epa-cancels-scientist-discussion-of-climate-change
This week, without explanation, the Environmental Protection Agency canceled the speaking appearances of three EPA scientists who were scheduled to talk at a conference about climate change. In another development, the agency is backing away from a congressionally mandated review of asbestos and other toxins. These are the latest developments in EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's drive to shift his agency's focus.
Scott Pruitt built his career battling the EPA. He, since he's been in office, has said that he wants EPA to have a back-to-basics approach to focus on Superfund sites, to focus on clean air and clean water. There's a lot of questions about whether he is doing even those things. He has said that he is cracking down on polluters. Outside groups have found that the level of civil enforcement is down dramatically. He has said that he is focusing heavily on Superfund sites.
There have been a number of reports questioning how well that's playing out, especially in places that have suffered terrible hurricanes, like in Houston. Meanwhile, a lot of scientists and others within EPA remain concerned. They are worried that they are going to be hampered from doing their jobs. They're worried that they are not going to be able to speak publicly about their science. And that's especially heightened when it comes to issues like climate change.
This week, without explanation, the Environmental Protection Agency canceled the speaking appearances of three EPA scientists who were scheduled to talk at a conference about climate change. In another development, the agency is backing away from a congressionally mandated review of asbestos and other toxins. These are the latest developments in EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's drive to shift his agency's focus.
Scott Pruitt built his career battling the EPA. He, since he's been in office, has said that he wants EPA to have a back-to-basics approach to focus on Superfund sites, to focus on clean air and clean water. There's a lot of questions about whether he is doing even those things. He has said that he is cracking down on polluters. Outside groups have found that the level of civil enforcement is down dramatically. He has said that he is focusing heavily on Superfund sites.
There have been a number of reports questioning how well that's playing out, especially in places that have suffered terrible hurricanes, like in Houston. Meanwhile, a lot of scientists and others within EPA remain concerned. They are worried that they are going to be hampered from doing their jobs. They're worried that they are not going to be able to speak publicly about their science. And that's especially heightened when it comes to issues like climate change.
