July and August brought a whirlwind of EPN activity. Over 25 EPN volunteers worked collaboratively to submit 6 sets of comments to EPA/CEQ—including 5 sets of comments in 5 work days! We also grew both our staff and our membership.

Highlights of this update:

EPN’s Work on Censored Science

Censored Science In The News

US NGOs: ‘Science transparency’ policy contravenes TSCA

August 23, 2018. / by

Kelly Franklin /

Chemical Watch

EPN comments on the censored science proposal are quoted in this article on the tension between the rule and TSCA requirements.

Don’t be silenced in the name of ‘transparency’

August 15, 2018 / by

Daria Devantier /

The Hill

EPN member, Daria Devantier, calls on people to file comments with the EPA on their “transparency rule.” She is critical of the rule which will prevent EPA from using all science at their disposal.

EPA Officials Echo Wide-Ranging Concerns with Science Transparency Rule

August 8, 2018 / by

Maria Hegstad /

Inside EPA

The testimonies of EPN members Gary Timm, Lynn Goldman, and John Bachmann are featured in this article about responses to the EPA’s proposed “censored science” rule.

EPN’s Work on NEPA, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and WOTUS

Landscape with tree

EPN and Save EPA Comment on Possible Revisions of Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act

In response to the White House Council on Environmental Quality's request for input on whether NEPA regulations should be revised, EPN responded with comments that supported the goals of efficiency and avoiding unneeded delays in the environmental review process, but found that changing the regulations would be counterproductive and that these goals could be achieved by implementing existing regulations and applying lessons learned to improve implementation.

Related In The News Articles

Former EPA Staff Urge CEQ To Avoid NEPA Implementing Rule Changes

August 14, 2018 / by

Lee Logan /

Inside EPA

EPN and Save EPA submitted comments last week on proposed regulatory implementation revisions of NEPA. This week, those comments are quoted in this article on EPA staff response to NEPA rule changes.

EPA’s Bid for ‘Consistent and Transparent’ Rulemaking Draws Fire

August 14, 2018 / by

Charles Clark /

Government Executive

EPN and Save EPA submitted comments this week on proposed changes to weighing cost-benefit analysis at EPA. Those comments are quoted in this article on EPA staff responses to CBA rule changes.

EPN’s Work on TSCA

TSCA In The News

Blue-Collar Workers ‘Invisible’ as EPA Critiques Chemicals

August 23, 2018. / by

Pat Rizzuto /

Bloomberg Environment

EPN member Betsy Southerland is quoted, and EPN mentioned, in this article on the effects TSCA revisions would have on blue-collar workers.

E.P.A. Staff Objected to Agency’s New Rules on Asbestos Use, Internal Emails Show

August 10, 2018 / by

Lisa Friedman /

New York Times

Betsy Southerland, former Director of Science and Technology in the Office of Water and EPN member, is quoted in this article about the dangers of asbestos exposure under proposed TSCA revisions.

More examples of EPN In The News

In addition to the news articles above, EPN members contributed to a range of articles on topics such as Coal Ash, the proposed overhaul of the Clean Power Plan, the California waiver and fuel efficiency standards, and Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

New Federal Coal Ash Rules Unlikely To Impact Statewide Cleanup Plans

August 20, 2018. / by

Keri Brown /

WFDD

Stan Meiburg, EPN Board member and Advisor, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Regions 4 (Atlanta) and 6 (Dallas), and former EPA Acting Deputy Administrator, spoke to WFDD public radio about proposed coal ash rules and possible implications for North Carolina.

To kill climate rule, EPA wants to redefine danger of soot

August 6, 2018 / by

Niina Heikkinen /

Climate Wire

EPN members John Bachmann and Janet McCabe are quoted in this article about the Clean Power Plan rollback and proposal to change cost-benefit analysis at the EPA.

Here’s how the EPA might be different under Andrew Wheeler

July 30, 2018 / by

Scott Tong /

National Public Radio

EPN members Steve Silverman and Janet McCabe are quoted about differences between Scott Pruitt and Andrew Wheeler. They discuss how Wheeler’s background in science and previous Washington experience will show in his behavior.

Read all recent EPN In The News items here