Bring Science Back to the EPA

Andrew Wheeler

After more than a year of systematically undermining science, the environment, and our health, Scott Pruitt has stepped down as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Under Pruitt’s leadership, the EPA has silenced scientists, rolled back vital projects and regulations, and mischaracterized as “controversial” established scientific consensus on observable, documented phenomena such as climate change.

His successor, Andrew Wheeler, is a lawyer and lobbyist with no scientific background. Join us today in welcoming Wheeler to the position and asking that he commit to the mandate of the EPA and correct the anti-science actions of his predecessor.  

We ask that he

1. Commit to scientific oversight of policy making decisions and placing scientific experts on advisory and scientific review boards.

2. Reinstate the National Center for Environmental Research, which funds research on the effects of chemical exposure on children and adults.

3. Overturn Pruitt's ban on scientists who receive EPA grants serving on EPA advisory committees, blocking the ability of best-available science to inform policy and limits the capacity of advisors to function as independent scientific review for the EPA.

4. Acknowledge the well-established scientific consensus on climate change and fully commit to fulfilling the EPA's mission by enacting policies and practices to address climate change and its effect on our environment and health.

5. Reinstate Clean Power Plan - which research has shown would benefit the economy, the environment, and most importantly, public health.

As science advocates, we were concerned with Pruitt’s anti-science policies and his alarmingly close ties to industries known for the damage they can cause to the environment. We must urge Andrew Wheeler to stand up for science-based policy, and hold him accountable for protecting the EPA.


Note: Any comments left may be used to promote this campaign. You will be credited as first name, last initial, state.


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To: Andrew Wheeler
From: [Your Name]

We write today in your capacity as the acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency. As science supporters and people committed to protecting our health and environment, we were deeply concerned by many actions undertaken by Scott Pruitt in his tenure at the EPA, including silencing scientists, rolling back vital projects and regulations, and mischaracterizing as “controversial” established scientific consensus on observable, documented phenomena such as climate change.

We hope that during your time at the Environmental Protection Agency, you will commit both yourself and the agency to its mandate to protect the environment and our health, ensuring our future. We ask that you reconsider some of the more dangerous actions of Mr. Pruitt in your new leadership role including

1. Commit to scientific oversight of ​policy making decisions and placing scientific experts on advisory and scientific review boards.

2. Reinstate the National Center for Environmental Research, which funds research on the effects of chemical exposure on children and adults.

3. Overturn the ban on scientists who receive EPA grants serving on EPA advisory committees.

4. Acknowledge the well-established scientific consensus on climate change and fully commit to fulfilling the EPA's mission by enacting policies and practicies to address climate change and its affect on our environment and health.

5. Reinstate Clean Power Plan.

We urge you to stand up for science-based policy and use your position of leadership to protect our shared present and future.