"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has chosen to replace half of the members on one of its key scientific review boards, the first step in a broader effort by Republicans to change the way the agency evaluates the scientific basis for its regulations.

The move could significantly change the makeup of the 18-member Board of Scientific Counselors, which advises EPA’s key scientific arm on whether the research it does has sufficient rigor and integrity. All of the members being dismissed were at the end of serving at least one three-year term, although these terms are often renewed instead of terminated.

EPA spokesman J.P. Freire said in an email that 'no one has been fired or terminated,' and that Pruitt had simply decided to bring in fresh advisers. The agency informed the outside academics on Friday that their terms would not be renewed."

Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis report for the Washington Post May 7, 2017. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"E.P.A. Dismisses Members of Major Scientific Review Board" (New York Times) [3]

"EPA: Agency Fires Science Advisers" (Greenwire) [4]

"Interior: Agency Suspends Advisory Panels Even As Decisions Loom" (Greenwire) [5]