"The EPA needs independent science to protect the public's health and safety.  Unfortunately, the EPA has just announced measures that will allow it to circumvent independent scientific input from its own scientists and advisory committees by increasing the role political appointees play and diminishing the role of scientists. The announcement comes just weeks after the Clean Air Science Advisory Committee and EPA scientists spoke out against the agency's failure to adequately protect the public from dangerous air pollution.

"This announcement is more of the same from an administration that cares about political science more than independent science. Furthermore, the decision sidelines science at a time when the EPA is actively considering revising standards meant to protect the public's health from lead and ozone pollution. The EPA's announcement means the best available science will now be watered down by politics, and the public's health will suffer as a result."