CATF Statement on EPA Supplemental Proposed Rule on “Censored Science”

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) opposes a supplemental proposed rule by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would restrict the use of scientific information not available to the public. CATF argues the rule is an 'unlawful abuse of Agency discretion' that jeopardizes the privacy of study participants and undermines the agency's mandate under statutes like the Clean Air Act. The organization specifically criticizes the expansion of the rule to cover all 'influential scientific information', asserting that environmental policy must be based on science rather than policy priorities.

• The EPA's supplemental proposed rule is described as an 'unlawful waste of EPA time and taxpayer resources' that restricts the use of the best available science and is incompatible with mandates under environmental statutes such as the Clean Air Act.
• The requirement for all data to be made public undermines scientific research because it conflicts with the right of study participants to keep personal health information private.
• The supplemental proposal expands the scope of the restriction beyond regulatory actions to include any 'influential scientific information' used by the EPA, which CATF claims is designed to limit the scientific studies the agency can rely on.

APA

Ross, S. (2020). CATF Statement on EPA Supplemental Proposed Rule on “Censored Science”. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2020/03/catf-statement-on-epa-supplemental-proposed-rule-on-censored-science/

Chicago

Ross, Stuart. CATF Statement on EPA Supplemental Proposed Rule on “Censored Science”. Clean Air Task Force, 2020. https://www.catf.us/2020/03/catf-statement-on-epa-supplemental-proposed-rule-on-censored-science/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Ross |first1=Stuart |title=CATF Statement on EPA Supplemental Proposed Rule on “Censored Science” |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=4 March 2020 |url=https://www.catf.us/2020/03/catf-statement-on-epa-supplemental-proposed-rule-on-censored-science/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{ross2020catf, author = {Ross, Stuart}, title = {{CATF Statement on EPA Supplemental Proposed Rule on “Censored Science”}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2020}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/2020/03/catf-statement-on-epa-supplemental-proposed-rule-on-censored-science/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }