EPA Inspector General to Review any Political Influence on Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency inspector general's office will conduct a review to "assure scientific integrity" in the department, CNN reports.

According to a memo released Friday, the OIG will focus on the "extent and type of employee concerns, if any, with scientific integrity at the EPA," as well ask "Employee awareness of the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy, including the process for reporting potential violations," "Reasons potential violations may not be reported," and the "Adjudication process in general and any concerns (e.g., satisfaction with complaint resolution, timeliness of resolution and other process-related issues)."

The OIG notes that "Applicable generally accepted government auditing standards will be used in conducting our project. The anticipated benefits of this project are to identify and address any barriers to achieving the Scientific Integrity Policy's stated purpose, which is "to ensure scientific integrity throughout the EPA and promote scientific and ethical standards, including quality standards; communications with the public; the use of peer review and advisory committees; and professional development."

Last April, former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt outlined a controversial series of guidelines called the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science proposal, which critics claim will reduce access to health studies important to the regulation of air and water.

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