The House sought to rein in the Environment Protection Agency’s science advisers Thursday by passing a bill that would shake up a key federal advisory board for the agency.
The House passed, 227-188, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 along strict party lines. The Science Advisory Board has been a target of the GOP in recent years because of its influence over the EPA’s regulations, especially for oil and natural gas drilling and fracking.
The bill would restrict lobbyists from being appointed to the board. Members may not have current grants or contracts from the EPA and are barred from applying for grants from the agency for three years following the end of their board term.
The bill also restricts the activities of the board when it comes to influencing federal regulations. The board must “strive to avoid making policy determinations or recommendations,” a bill summary reads. It must “communicate uncertainties” and “encourage dissenting members to make their views known.”
The bill also directs the advisory board to conduct periodic reviews to ensure all activities address “the most important scientific issues affecting the EPA,” while being responsive to Congress on questions regarding its activities.
The bill follows the passage of a separate measure Wednesday evening targeting the manner in which EPA conducts science.
The Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act, or HONEST Act, was passed 228-194, following strong opposition from Democrats. The bill prohibits the EPA from issuing regulations in which the scientific basis for them is not made completely public.
