Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
june 2016

The Monthly Review is part of a continuing effort to improve communications about the role of geoscience in policy.
Current and archived monthly reviews are available online.

Subscribe to receive the Monthly Review directly.

environment

Committee questions science and accountability at EPA

June 22, 2016

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held an oversight hearing this June to examine the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) scientific integrity and accountability.

In his opening statement, Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) argued that EPA uses “suspect science, questionable legal interpretations, and flawed analysis” to underpin its regulations. Committee members echoed these concerns throughout the hearing.

Committee members scrutinized EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP). Chairman Smith said CPP would reduce economic growth, increase electricity costs, and have a minimal impact on climate change. In response, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy testified that CPP reflected the natural direction of the energy market and rested on sound science.  

Others questioned EPA’s accountability to Congress. They accused the agency of only responding to one out of ten Committee requests in the past year. They also accused EPA staff of using personal email accounts to avoid congressional oversight. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) countered that EPA had already provided the Committee with thousands of documents despite limited time and resources.

Still more questioned why EPA had suddenly removed a finalized report from its website. The report had focused on whether a particular herbicide caused cancer. Members of the Committee argued that the sudden removal showed that EPA had ignored the science to overrule the report; however, McCarthy clarified that a contractor had released the report early by mistake.

Despite the attacks, some Committee members praised EPA. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), applauded EPA’s new ozone rule, which McCarthy cited as a critical public health measure, and Ranking Member Johnson complimented the agency for “balanced” and “progressive” regulations.

Other concerns voiced during the hearing included the Gold King Mine wastewater spill, racecar regulations, and Clean Water Rule’s impact on farmers.

Sources: E&E Daily, Environmental Protection Agency

President Obama celebrates 100th anniversary of NPS

June 20, 2016

President Barack Obama celebrated the National Park Service’s (NPS) upcoming 100th anniversary at Yosemite National Park this June. The NPS was established on August 25, 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed into a law a bill mandating the agency to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein… [and] leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”  Since then, the NPS has managed the U.S. national park system, providing recreation, conservation and historic preservation programs across the U.S.

In his budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2017, President Obama proposed an increase of $190.5 million to invest in the second century of the NPS, including $20 million for the Centennial Challenge, a program that would match partner donations with federal funds for projects and programs at national parks.

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have included language to increase funding for the National Park Service in FY 2017. The House bill would increase total funding by $71 million above FY 2016 levels The Senate bill would increase total funding by $68 million above the FY 2016 level of $2,851 million.

Sources: E&E News, Greenwire News, National Ocean Service, National Park Service 

Updated 7/11/16