"Scientists Sue EPA Over Its Policy On Advisory Boards"

"A group of scientists is suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for blocking scientists who receive agency funding from serving on the EPA's advisory boards.

The non-profit Protect Democracy, representing the Union of Concerned Scientists, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday, claiming the policy violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act and 'is an attack on science itself.'

'By accusing academic and non-profit grant-funded scientists of having a conflict of interest, [EPA Administrator Scott] Pruitt seeks to portray legitimate, independent scientists — who provide accurate, evidence-based information backed by verifiable, peer-reviewed research in order to inform environmental policy — as just another interest group seeking to advance an agenda,' Protect Democracy wrote in a blog post."

Jacqueline Thomsen reports for The Hill January 23, 2018.