Interference at the ePa

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) conducted a survey of 1,586 EPA scientists and interviews to document political interference. Findings reveal that 60% of respondents experienced interference, often from political appointees and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The report details the suppression of climate change and mercury pollution research, barriers to media communication, and a decline in job satisfaction and resources, concluding with recommendations for structural reforms to restore scientific integrity.

• A majority of surveyed EPA scientists reported experiencing political interference in their work over a five-year period, with agency veterans noting an increase in such incidents.
• Scientists reported various forms of direct interference, including being ordered to alter technical data, experiencing the selective use of data to support specific regulatory outcomes, and facing pressure to ignore impacts on sensitive populations.
• The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was identified by nearly 100 scientists as a primary source of external interference, specifically regarding the review and modification of scientific and technical documents.
• Political interference was most prevalent at EPA headquarters and within program offices responsible for regulatory duties, while the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory was found to be relatively freer of such interference.
• Significant barriers exist regarding the communication of scientific findings, with over half of the respondents disagreeing that agency policies allow them to speak freely to the news media.
• The report documents specific instances where the Bush administration manipulated science regarding mercury pollution and climate change, including the removal of climate change sections from reports and the use of industry-funded studies to counterbalance scientific consensus.
• The EPA's process for setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) was criticized for sidelining scientific advisory committees and ignoring the 'best available science' in favor of political and industry interests.
• A significant portion of EPA scientists believe the agency does not consistently use the best judgment of its scientific staff or heed the advice of independent advisory committees in its determinations.
• Resource shortages and the closure of EPA libraries in 2006 were reported as significant impairments to the ability of scientists to perform their jobs.
• There is a correlation between political interference and a decline in job satisfaction among EPA scientists.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2008). Interference at the ePa. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/interference-at-the-epa.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Interference at the ePa. 2008. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/interference-at-the-epa.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Interference at the ePa |date=April 2008 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/interference-at-the-epa.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2008interference, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Interference at the ePa}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2008}, month = apr, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/interference-at-the-epa.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }