Document pBRwkzOD4ox6pEKabkvR7m2qD

Message From: Sent: To: Subject: Alex Lubben j Ex. 6 10/31/2017 frA T T m Abboud, Michael [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b6f5af791al842fladcc088cbf9ed3ce-Abboud, Mic] Re: Administrator Pruitt Issues Directive to Ensure Independence, Geographic Diversity & Integrity in EPA Science Committees Thanks, Michael. One more question: Are you able to speak at all to the accuracy of this list, first published by InsideEPA? https://insideepa.com/sites/insideepa.com/files/documents/oct2017/epa2017 2145.pdf On Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 3:00 PM, Abboud, Michael <abboud.michael@epa.gov> wrote: 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 <j Ex. 6 j> wrote: 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 00009200-00001 Administrator Pruitt Issues Directive to Ensure Independence, Geographic Divers! Integrity in ERA Science Committees WASHINGTON (October 31, 2017) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt i 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 objectiv serve as a committee member. " Whatever science comes out of EPA, shouldn't be political science," said EPA Administrator Scott P " From this day forward, EPA advisory committee members w ill be financially independent from the Agency. " The directive explains that: members shall be independent from EPA, which shall include a requirem that no member of any of EPA' s federal advisory committees be currently in receipt of EPA grants, ei as principal investigator or co-investigator, or in a position that otherwise would reap substantial dire 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 1 directives to improve the independence and integrity of EPA' s FACs in ways that advance the Agency' mission. According to EPA calculations, in just the last three years, members of three of EPA' s 22 FACs - the Si 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 se 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 merr that w ill significantly increase geographic diversity and state, tribal, and local government participt the committees. A list of members w ill be posted in coming days. The directive focuses on the importance of the following areas pertaining to EPA FACs: k 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 re 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 00009200-00002 2, Increase State, Tribal and Local Government Participation: In the spirit of cooperative federa and recognition of the unique experience of state, tribal and local government officials, com mitt* balance should reflect prominent participation from state, tribal and local governments. Such participation should be appropriate for the com m ittee's purpose and function. 3, Enhance Geographic Diversity: Given the range of environmental and public health consideratic across the country, membership should be balanced with individuals from different states and EP/ regions. Emphasis should be given to individuals from historically unrepresented or underrepresen states and regions. 4, Promote Fresh Perspectives: To encourage and promote the inclusion of new candidates with fr perspectives and to avoid prolonged and continuous service, membership should be rotated regul; " Strengthening independence from EPA, increasing state, tribal and local government participation, z adding geographic diversity and fresh perspectives w ill improve the integrity of EPA' s scientific advise committees," said EPA Administrator Pruitt. To read the full directive please visit Mene. To read the full memo please visit 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest alex lubben Ex. 6 l"@'xbben Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00009200-00003 alex lubben x .' '"" @alexlubben Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00009200-00004