U.S. Congress Examines Industry Ties in Environmental Rulings
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Senate hearings hold EPA head accountable: The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began hearings into allegations of collusion between industry and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) political appointees to roll back health and environmental protections.
Committee chair Barbara Barbara Boxer cited concerns voiced by EPA scientists, librarians and other staff, including closure of EPA libraries and destruction of documents, and weakening of the Toxics Release Inventory rule that requires polluters to report contamination to communities they impact. Senator Boxer told EPA chief Stephen Johnson, "I want to send a clear signal to EPA and to this administration: We are watching. No longer will EPA rollbacks quietly escape scrutiny." The San Francisco Chronicle has the story. Boxer and Representative Henry Waxman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform are working to restore integrity in federal regulatory management and give support for career scientists in regulatory agencies. Pesticide Action Network Applauds Boxer and Waxman Hearings on EPA Oversight and Scientific Integrity in Government Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Henry Waxman are being lauded by environmental health groups such as Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) for driving a renewed congressional commitment to ensuring scientific integrity in U.S. agencies. In their new positions as Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and Chair of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee, Boxer and Waxman are driving investigations of government agency accountability to the public interest. One of the many policies targeted for investigation is EPA’s recent move to close libraries and destroy scientific studies that may prove harm from chemical manufacturing and the widespread use of chemicals such as those found in pesticides, cosmetics and other consumer products. PANNA also supports Senator Boxer’s commitment to healthy communities for children. “We are grateful that we now have representatives in Congress who understand the threats that toxic chemicals pose for neighborhoods and communities, as well as the legacy of chemical harm that is being handed down to future generations,” says PANNA executive director, Kathryn Gilje. “We are pleased that our elected officials are demanding accountability and transparency from the federal agencies charged with protecting Americans from exposure to carcinogens, reproductive toxicants and other dangerous substances.” “Representative Waxman has shown the ability to listen carefully to the voices of community members and government scientists alike on important issues regarding toxics, public health, and scientific integrity,” adds Kristin Schafer, PANNA campaigns director. “While there is much work to be done, we are encouraged by this strong beginning.” PANNA joins with many other public health and environmental protection groups to support the important work in Congress now moving forward under the leadership of Senator Boxer and Congressman Waxman to restore public health and environmental protections. |
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