EPA removes "science" from mission statement

The Trump administration’s uneasy relationship with science became even clearer as the Office of Science and Technology at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed the word science from its mission statement. Up until a week or so after Trump’s inauguration, the agency’s website stated its mission as working “to develop scientific and technological foundations to achieve clean water.” By the end of January, the same paragraph said the office would work to “develop technologically and economically achievable performance standards.” And where the goal used to be to “protect people and the aquatic environment,” it is now to “address water pollution from industry.” The Environmental Data and Governance Initiative just discovered and documented these changes.