House Passes US EPA Science Transparency Bill

Opponents say HONEST Act will undermine agency's scientific integrity

The US House of Representatives has passed a measure to bar the EPA from taking regulatory actions based on science that is "not transparent and reproducible".

Sponsored by Lamar Smith (R–Texas), the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act (HONEST Act) passed the chamber on a 228-194 vote.

If it becomes law, it would block the EPA from proposing, finalising or disseminating regulations, assessments, guidance and other actions unless all scientific and technical information relied upon to develop them is:

the "best available science";

specifically identified; and

publicly available in a manner "sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results".

Proponents of the measure say it will allow independent scientists a chance to validate studies EPA uses in support of its regulation. Mr Smith said this opportunity for independent review "promotes sound science that will restore confidence in the EPA decision-making process".

But opponents across the aisle called it an "insidious" measure that would hamstring the agency's ability to select the highest quality science.

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D–Texas) said in floor debate that the EPA does not own or control the data for most of these scientific sources, and therefore lacks authority to publicly release it. This, in turn, would preclude the agency from using the "vast majority of peer-reviewed science in existence today" for its regulations, she said.

"In reality this bill isn't about science. It's about undermining public health and the environment.”"

She added that, among others, the American Chemical Society, the Environmental Defense Fund and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, oppose the measure.

It does, however, have the backing of such organisations as the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the US Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council.

The ACC said that by ensuring that the EPA "utilises high quality science and shares underlying data used to reach decisions, the HONEST Act can help foster a regulatory environment that will allow the US business of chemistry to continue to develop safe, innovative products that Americans depend on in their everyday lives."

The House passed a similar measure sponsored by Mr Smith – the Secret Science Reform Act – in the 114th Congress, but it failed to gain traction in the Senate.

A separate science measure, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017, passed the House Thursday.