Document 2JxgELLaO4Jga3z70ndXk5KnR

Message From: Sent: To: Subject: Abboud, Michael [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=B6F5AF791A1842F1ADCC088CBF9ED3CE-ABBOUD, MIC] 10/31/2017 7j0Qj50 PM__________________ Alex Lubben [j Ex. 6 Re: Ad ministi^aror praTrrssue^urrecriveTof: nsu re Independence, Geographic Diversity & Integrity in EPA Science Committees Will make sure to re-add you. Don't know if you got bumped off for some reason, sorry if that happened! And will get you the list when it's available. Sent from my iPhone On Oct 31, 2017, at 2:55 PM, Alex Lubben <! Ex. 6 ivrote: L____________________________________________________________ i Hi Michael, Thanks for your response. I do receive EPA press releases, but I somehow didn't receive that one. Would you please add me to the list? If you're able to provide any further information about when the full list of science advisors will be released, that'd be much appreciated. Best, Alex On Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Abboud, Michael <abboud.michael@epa.gov> wrote: Alex, saw your inquiry I think the press release below should help answer your second question. On background, the names of the new board members will be released in the coming weeks. Let me know if you have any more questions, and I'll add you to the press list if you aren't already on it. Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: "EPA Press Office" <press@epa.gov> Date: October 31, 2017 at 2:00:07 PM EDT To: "abboud.michael@epa.gov" <abboud.michael@epa.gov> Subject: Administrator Pruitt Issues Directive to Ensure Independence, Geographic Diversity & Integrity in EPA Science Committees Reply-To: press@epa.gov Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00031353-00001 Administrator Pruitt Issues Directive to Ensure Independence, Geographic Diversit Integrity in EPA Science Committees WASHINGTON (October 31, 2017) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is: a new directive today to ensure that any advisors serving on an EPA Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) independent and free from any real, apparent, or potential interference with their ability to objective serve as a committee member. "Whatever science comes out of EPA, shouldn't be political science," said EPA Administrator Scott Pr "From this day forward, EPA advisory committee members will be financially independent from the Agency. " The directive explains that: members shall be independent from EPA, which shall include a requireme that no member of any of EPA's federal advisory committees be currently in receipt of EPA grants, eitl as principal investigator or co-investigator, or in a position that otherwise would reap substantial direc benefit from an EPA grant. This principle would not apply to state, tribal or local government agency recipients of EPA grants. An accompanying memorandum issued by EPA Administrator Pruitt explains tt directives to improve the independence and integrity of EPA's FACs in ways that advance the Agency's mission. According to EPA calculations, in just the last three years, members of three of EPA's 22 FACs - the Sc Advisory Board (SAB), Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) - received upwards of $77 million in direct EPA grant funding while concurrently ser on these committees. Today, Administrator Pruitt also announced his plan to appoint new leadership and new members to S^ CASAC and BOSC. In the spirit of cooperative federalism, Administrator Pruitt intends to appoint memt that will significantly increase geographic diversity and state, tribal, and local government participatic the committees. A list of members will be posted in coming days. The directive focuses on the importance of the following areas pertaining to EPA FACs: 1. Strengthen Member Independence: Members shall be independent from EPA, which shall include requirement that no member of an EPA federal advisory committee be currently in receipt of EPA grants, either as principal investigator or co-investigator, or in a position that otherwise would rea substantial direct benefit from an EPA grant. This principle shall not apply to state, tribal or local government agency recipients of EPA grants. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00031353-00002 2. Increase State, Tribal and Local Government Participation: In the spirit of cooperative federal and recognition of the unique experience of state, tribal and local government officials, committei balance should reflect prominent participation from state, tribal and local governments. Such participation should be appropriate for the committee's purpose and function. 3. Enhance Geographic Diversity: Given the range of environmental and public health consideratior across the country, membership should be balanced with individuals from different states and EPA regions. Emphasis should be given to individuals from historically unrepresented or underrepresent states and regions. 4. Promote Fresh Perspectives: To encourage and promote the inclusion of new candidates with fre perspectives and to avoid prolonged and continuous service, membership should be rotated rgulai "Strengthening independence from EPA, increasing state, tribal and local government participation, ar adding geographic diversity and fresh perspectives will improve the integrity of EPA's scientific advisoi committees," said EPA Administrator Pruitt. To read the full directive please visit here. To read the full memo please visit 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest -.aley-.J.iihfapjn. Ex. 6 '"iglalexTfbn Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00031353-00003