The EPA dismisses science advisors

First the U.S. Department of the Interior shut down its citizen advisory panels. Now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has dismissed several scientists on its 18-member Board of Scientific Counselors. The board reviews and evaluates research conducted by the agency’s scientists as part of the process to develop federal policies that protect the environment and public health. The academic scientists who got “Trumped” expressed shock at the unprecedented decision by the EPA to dump them before the end of their tenure—especially since in January they were assured that their terms would be renewed for another three years. Even more shocking (unless you’re already familiar with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s pro-polluter ways) is that the agency is looking to fill the vacancies with representatives from the very industries that the EPA regulates. “The administrator believes we should have people on this board who understand the impact of regulations on the regulated community,” said an EPA spokesman. Stacking a scientific panel with polluters is the latest brazen attack on the agency’s mission by the Trump administration.