Senators join in EPA ‘secret science’ charge

Eight GOP senators have introduced a bill to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using undisclosed scientific studies to justify its regulations, joining House Republicans in the “secret science” accusation.

The EPA would be prohibited from using science that is not public in proposing, finalizing or disseminated rules under the bill, the sponsors said.

{mosads}“Since the American people bear the expensive costs of EPA red tape, they deserve to have access to the science behind the EPA’s proposals,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said in a statement Wednesday.

“For years, the EPA has based its rules and regulations on secret data that they refuse to publish and make available to all Americans,” he said. “If the administration wants to finally live up to its claim of being the ‘most transparent administration’ in U.S. history, they’ll immediately support our bill.” 

A similar bill in the House, sponsored by Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), passed the Science Committee last month.

Republicans have repeatedly charged the EPA with using “secret science,” and a group of senators led by Barrasso and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) made the accusation in an April letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.

McCarthy responded shortly thereafter, shooting back at the charge in a speech.

“If EPA is being accused of ‘secret science’ because we rely on real scientists to conduct research, and independent scientists to peer review it, and scientists who’ve spent a lifetime studying the science to reproduce it — then so be it,” McCarthy said in April.

She accused Republicans of using the “secret science” claim when they don’t agree with the EPA’s policies.