EPA Chief Pruitt Says Agency Scientists Are Free to Discuss Their Work

"WASHINGTON — Scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency will be free to publicly discuss their work from now on, Scott Pruitt, the agency’s administrator, has assured lawmakers who criticized the E.P.A. for preventing employees from presenting findings about climate change.

In a letter Monday to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, Mr. Pruitt did not explain why the agency had canceled the presentations of two E.P.A. scientists and one consultant who were scheduled to speak in Providence in October about the health of the Narragansett Bay, nor did he address whether the agency had acted improperly.

Procedures have been put in place to prevent such an occurrence in the future,” Mr. Pruitt wrote. He said he had assured staff members within the E.P.A.’s offices of research and development throughout the country that they had the authority to make decisions about participation in events."

Lisa Friedman reports for the New York Times December 6, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Read Scott Pruitt’s Full Response" (New York Times)