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Washington, DC -- As ranking member of the U.S. House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, Congressman David Wu played a leadership role in a hearing today on the research and technology budget for the Environmental Protection Agency.
The theme of today's hearing was clear: Sound science and greater investments in research at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are necessary if the federal government wants to ensure America will enjoy a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment for years come.
"This administration has failed for the third consecutive year to offer a budget that will enable us to achieve further successes in environmental protection. This year's proposal reduces the budget under the heading: 'Advancing Science and Innovation.' This is false advertising," stated Congressman Wu. "On the issue of scientific integrity, I am very disturbed by the continuing reports of scientific manipulation and censorship, much like what happened in my home state at Oregon State University*. Science should never take a back seat to ideology. Such behavior prevents our research agencies from carrying out sound public policy."
In response to questions from Congressman Wu and other members of the committee about EPA's overall level of science and technology funding, Dr. M. Granger Morgan, chair of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board, answered, "You have specifically asked if EPA's funding is appropriate and whether its research priorities are adequately balanced...the short answer is no."
In regards to concerns about scientific integrity, Dr. Morgan stated, "We all want environmental decision-making to be based on sound science. However, our nation is not investing adequately in producing that sound science."
Dr. Jeffrey Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, testified that the media has only reported a small percentage of such incidents and commented that reports are held in indefinite draft status. Dr. Ruch suggested to Congressman Wu to ask the EPA to compile a list of these reports, how long they have been held in draft status and indicate why.
Dr. Ruch also recommended that the EPA adopt policies to protect public scientists because they don't fit into the "whistle-blower box."
"Until EPA offers its scientists some meaningful protections for discussing emerging issues or reporting findings without prior political vetting, the agency’s entire science program will be tainted in the eyes of both the scientific community and the general public."
Congressman Wu turned back to Dr. Morgan and asked if the EPA would commit to compiling a list of reports in draft status. Dr. Morgan stated that he could not make that commitment today on behalf of the EPA.
Congressman Wu and 78 other members of the Congress are not holding their breath. In an attempt to stop the politicization of scientific research, legislation has been introduced. H.R. 839, the Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking Act, would prohibit a federal employee from tampering with the conduct of federally-funded scientific research or analysis, censorship of findings or knowingly disseminating false or misleading scientific information.
Congressman Wu concluded, "For integrity, morality and civility, we must take the politics out of science."
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