SACNAS Opposes Environmental Protection Agency Decision to Expand the “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science” Rule

The rule would restrict the EPA from using the full spectrum of science in federal policymaking

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, announced a plan to expand the scope of the “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science” rule, introduced in 2018 to limit the agency from using scientific studies that includes data that cannot be made public without releasing and compromising confidential medical information. Despite receiving nearly 600,000 public comments– most of them in opposition– the EPA is now proposing to broaden the rule to cover “any scientific information” whether it’s used in the policymaking process or not, in order to guarantee transparency. The rule expansion would exclude a large subset of scientific research by only utilizing studies for which the data is publicly available instead of all of the available data.

To this end, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) President, Dr. Sonia I. Zárate, has released the following statement:

“We have and will continue to oppose the EPA’s “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science” rule. This rule and its expansion would exclude the use of epidemiological studies that provide aggregated as opposed to identifiable data for human subjects. Sidelining this data in policy making will have detrimental impacts on all communities, but will be felt most acutely by populations that are most vulnerable in the face of issues such as climate change, air pollution, and public health.”

ABOUT SACNAS
For over 46 years, SACNAS has served as an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM.

Today, SACNAS serves a growing community of over 8,000 active members, 115+ student and professional chapters, and nearly 20,000 supporters and allies throughout the United States and territories. SACNAS influences the STEM diversity movement through STEM outreach & advocacy, promotion of STEM leaders, and The SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference. Learn more about SACNAS at sacnas.org, Facebook, or Twitter.