hot document: Primary sources exposed and explained.

White House Political Science

hot document
entries
123456789
from: Bonnie Goldstein

Posted Friday, April 25, 2008, at 3:25 PM ET

The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit group championing scientific integrity, keeps an A-to-Z tally of politically motivated meddling with hard science at U.S. government agencies. Its latest report, titled "Interference at the EPA," (executive summary below and on the following eight pages) documents complaints from hundreds of scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency. The bad news: "60 percent of respondents personally experienced at least one incident of political interference during the past 5 years." The problem appears to be worsening, because obstruction occurred "more often in the past five years" than during the previous five-year period (Page 3). Examples of political intrusion include White House manipulation of "scientific findings … regarding mercury pollution and climate change." In addition, the White House Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies have second-guessed the EPA's assessment of toxic chemicals (Page 5).

The watchdog group proposes making science assessments "more transparent" and "depoliticizing funding, monitoring, and enforcement" at the EPA (Page 9).

Send Hot Document ideas to . Please indicate whether you wish to remain anonymous.

hot document
entries
123456789
from: Bonnie Goldstein

Posted Friday, April 25, 2008, at 3:25 PM ET
Print This ArticlePRINTDiscuss this in The FrayDISCUSSEmail to a FriendE-MAIL
Share on FacebookPost to MySpace!Share with MixxDigg ThisShare with RedditShare with del.icio.usShare with FurlShare with Ma.gnolia.comShare with SphereShare with Stumble Upon
Bonnie Goldstein is a former special investigator to the U.S. Senate and investigative producer for ABC News.
Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum
What did you think of this article?
POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES
Washington Post
The Washington Post
OPINIONS
Let the Oil Deals Flow
Raad Alkadiri | Congress should not interfere in the oil industry's contract negotiations with the Iraqi government.