‘SECRET SCIENCE’ BILL PASSES: The House easily passed its bill to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using “secret science” Wednesday, despite a veto threat from the Obama administration.
The bill, similar to past versions, would require the EPA to make publicly available all the details of any scientific research it uses in regulating. If the science isn’t public, the rule can’t be promulgated.
{mosads}The legislation is the second part of an effort by the House GOP to reform the way the EPA uses science. On Tuesday, lawmakers voted to reform the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board.
“Is it too much to ask the EPA to follow the same guidelines I give my children in elementary school,” asked Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.). “Show your work.”
But opponents charge that the GOP is just trying to impede the EPA’s rulemaking power.
They accused Republicans of forcing the EPA to reveal information about individual patients in studies.
“What my Republican colleagues are calling secrets [is] actually confidential, personal health information from research study participants,” said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas).
Read more here.
ON TAP THURSDAY I: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear Thursday from various companies and experts on crude oil export policy and the 40-year-old ban on exports. The witnesses represent consulting firm IHS, ConocoPhillips Co., the Center for a New American Security, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers and refiner Monroe Energy.
ON TAP THURSDAY II: The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on energy and power will hold a hearing Thursday on a bill that would delay efficiency standards for grid-enabled water heaters. The panel will hear from experts representing utilities, appliance makers, energy-efficiency advocates and environmentalists.
Rest of Thursday’s agenda …
The National Lieutenant Governors Association will host the second day of its annual Federal-State Relations meeting Thursday. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will deliver a morning keynote address on how the agency partners with states, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member Philip Moeller will participate in a discussion about what the EPA’s carbon rule for power plants will mean for states.
Arizona State University’s Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes will hold an event Thursday to discuss whose voices are being heard and whose are not in the United Nations’ negotiations for an international climate pact. A panel of four academic experts will speak.
The United States Agency for International Development’s Climate Change Resilient Development program will continue its symposium on climate-resilient development. Wednesday’s events will focus on resilience in cities.
AROUND THE WEB:
The Wall Street Journal did an in-depth profile of 75-year-old Robert Murray of Murray Energy Corp., the “King of American coal.”
California’s government enacted new restrictions on water usage that will affect home lawns, restaurants and hotels, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) signed a bill that allows Tesla Motors Inc.’s direct-to-consumer car sales model, the Asbury Park Press reports.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Check out Wednesday’s stories …
– Refiners hit back at need for oil exports
– Feds sell nearly 1 million acres for Gulf offshore drilling
– House passes bill to ban EPA ‘secret science’
– GOP chairman pronounces gas tax hike dead
– Dems say GOP coal ash bill is premature
– Greens want Clinton emails on Keystone
– Administration has no position on Udall-Vitter bill, EPA says
– Our bill is the only chemical reform bill ‘on the playing field,’ Vitter says
– South Dakota hikes gas tax
– White House reviewing controversial mining rule
– Industry assails Obama’s ozone regulations
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