EPA cited studies funded by Big Oil to discredit clean car rules

The oil industry, according to E&E news, funded research that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been using to roll back Obama-era clean car standards. At least two members of the agency's Science Advisory Board—both nominated by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt—received money from the American Petroleum Institute before publishing research that casts doubt on the health effects of air pollution, such as asthma and heart disease. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an industry group in support of Pruitt’s rollbacks, also cites this research as reason to scrap the protections. The industry link is hypocritical to say the least: Last week Pruitt accused the Obama administration of “politically charged expediency” in passing the clean car standards—despite that administration having 24 peer-reviewed studies and 1,217-page analysis to support its rules. And in October, Pruitt accused SAB members who received EPA grants of being too ethically compromised to serve. Riiiight.