Protecting Environmental and Public Health Policies: The Importance of Federal Advisory Committees
Being part of the Cumulative Impacts workgroup of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) has been a rewarding experience over the past two years. Collaborating with experts from various sectors to enhance U.S. environmental and public health policies has been both enlightening and inspiring. Our workgroup produced a comprehensive report containing recommendations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a cumulative impacts approach for better health and safety protection.
Unfortunately, the recent presidential election has brought about challenges that may hinder the progress of our work. A group of individuals with vested interests in polluting industries are actively undermining the role of federal advisory committees in providing scientific input.
The Role of Federal Advisory Committees
Federal advisory committees play a crucial role in facilitating public participation in government decision-making processes. These committees bring together experts from diverse backgrounds to provide informed advice to government agencies. However, the current administration’s efforts to disrupt these committees through changes in composition, canceled meetings, and disbandment of panels are jeopardizing the ability of federal agencies to make evidence-based and equitable decisions.
Under the Trump administration, key advisory committees such as the Census Bureau’s Science Advisory Committee and the USGS Committee for Science Quality and Integrity have been eliminated. This lack of expert advice can have detrimental effects on critical areas such as census development and scientific integrity maintenance within the USGS. Additionally, meetings of advisory committees on important topics like immunization practices and vaccine development have been delayed or canceled, leading to potential gaps in expert guidance.
Furthermore, the EPA Science Advisory Board and the Clean Air Act Science Advisory Committee are undergoing significant membership changes, which could impact the quality of scientific advice provided to the EPA.
The NEJAC Cumulative Impacts Workgroup
As a co-chair of a workgroup assigned to support the NEJAC, we were tasked with researching cumulative impacts and formulating recommendations for addressing disparities in communities overburdened by pollutants. After two years of collaboration, our workgroup published a report titled “Reducing Cumulative and Disproportionate Impacts and Burdens in Environmental Justice Communities,” which contains actionable recommendations for the EPA to consider.
Despite the importance of the NEJAC’s work, there are currently no scheduled meetings posted on the EPA NEJAC website. Additionally, key personnel from the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights are on administrative leave, posing a threat to the agency’s environmental justice efforts.
Conclusion
The NEJAC has a long history of providing valuable advice on environmental justice issues to the EPA. Their recommendations have addressed a wide range of topics, from brownfield revitalization to disaster preparedness and worker protection standards. However, the current lack of scheduled NEJAC meetings and potential closure of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights could hinder the agency’s ability to craft policies that address environmental disparities.
It is crucial for the EPA Administrator to prioritize the protection of science and expertise within the agency. Public support and advocacy for maintaining strong EPA advisory committees are essential to ensure that decisions affecting our health and environment are based on sound scientific advice.
As concerned citizens, we can urge our Members of Congress to pressure the EPA Administrator to safeguard the role of advisory committees in protecting public health and the environment. By advocating for science-based decision-making, we can contribute to creating a safer and healthier future for all.
