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EPA Employees Want 'Bill of Rights' to Protect Scientific Integrity
Hmmm.... who are you going to trust? Some scientists who care about facts and the health and safety of Americans or oligarchs who only care about money and don't remotely care whether there's a habitable planet for our grandchildren?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unionized employees have drafted a bill of rights, asking the agency to recognize the need for scientific integrity, research into climate science and the ability to enforce environmental laws without political interference.
The bill of rights asks for... worker protections related to the agency’s mission.
It follows years of complaints from those inside and outside of the EPA that the agency has been sidelining the scientific advice of staff. On Dec. 31, the board questioned the scientific underpinnings of a number of planned rules — including one expected to limit the number of scientific studies the EPA relies on when making new rules.
It specifically asks for whistleblower protections and “a right to protect human health and the environment, to protect environmental justice communities, and to work without fear of reprisal.”
Whistleblower protections, eh? Didn't know that was hitting the EPA too:
One EPA whistleblower said he was put on administrative leave in 2018 as a reprisal after pushing back against decisions from former Administrator Scott Pruitt.
The agency has also been criticized for sidelining employees and scientists with its policy rollouts.
This is something we should all support. Science people, science.
The employees’ bill of rights got the backing of several Democratic members of Congress, including Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), and Tom Carper (Del.) and 10 representatives.