EPA Scientific Advisory Board Shakeup

[Bengalzona]

(05-08-2017, 10:27 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/07/epa-dismisses-half-of-its-scientific-advisers-on-key-board-citing-clean-break-with-obama-administration/?utm_term=.062ec7a2e96a


So, in looking at the board members (https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabpeople.nsf/WebExternalCommitteeRosters?OpenView&committee=BOARD&secondname=Science%20Advisory%20Board) there are three, possibly four, industry representatives. Of course, without really digging into each member it is hard to say how many of them also receive funding from the industries that are typically regulated by the EPA.

I think with a board that size, there should be a bit more industry representation, but the issue at hand is how do you eliminate the conflicts of interest on either side? If the industry representation deals with any regulations at all, there is a CoI. If the academic receives money from the EPA or the industry being regulated it is a CoI. So how do you get around that? Because the experts on these things will all fall into those categories.

I see no reason whatsoever why there should be any private industry representation on the EPA. Those types of conflict of interests are what are irrevocably screwing over this country and its people.

But some people will just need to learn the hard way.