| September 17, 2008 |  |
UCS Expert to Testify At House Hearing on Political Interference at EPA
Decisions on toxic chemicals in question
The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow to probe allegations that politics influenced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decisions on regulating toxic chemicals. Francesco Grifo, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Scientific Integrity Program, will testify that this political interference has put public health and the environment at risk.
Grifo also will make recommendations for the next president and next EPA administrator to reform the agency and for Congress to pass whistleblower legislation protecting federal scientists who call attention to waste, fraud and abuse at federal agencies.
In April, a UCS investigation found political appointees have meddled with the work of hundreds of EPA scientists over the past five years. More than 50 percent of the 1,600 staff scientists who responded to a UCS questionnaire reported experiencing political interference in their work. (For the complete survey results, go to: www.ucsusa.org/EPAscience).
Grifo's testimony will be available online after 10 a.m. on Thursday (Read Francesca Grifo's testimony).
For the hearing live, go to: http://energycommerce.house.gov/membios/schedule.shtml.
In a related story, several prominent toxicologists today wrote EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson about concerns they have with recent changes to the way the agency evaluates the toxicity of chemicals. (Read the scientists' letter to Administrator Johnson)
WHO:
Dr. Francesca Grifo, senior scientist and director, UCS Scientific Integrity Program
WHAT:
House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, "Science Under Siege: Scientific Integrity at the Environmental Protection Agency"
WHEN:
Thursday, September 18, 10 a.m.
WHERE:
Room 2322 Rayburn House Office Building
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
