EPA Publishes Science Transparency Rule

This week, EPA published a rule addressing the scientific data and research results that will form the basis for the agency’s rules going forward.  The rule has been in the works for several years and was a cornerstone of efforts by the Trump Administration to build public trust in the data/science underpinning federal environmental rulemaking.  In the past, EPA has relied on scientific analyses to support rulemaking for which the data were not always publicly available and therefore could not be verified or reproduced.  This new rule will generally require that EPA rely only on those scientific analyses for which the data are available for independent corroboration.  The rule became effective upon publication on January 6, 2021 and may not be subject to reconsideration under the Congressional Review Act.  A copy of the EPA Fact Sheet, final rule and associated information are available online.  See EPA Science Transparency Rule