EPA Supplement Seeks to Expand ‘Secret Science’ Rule (1)

The EPA tweaked its proposed “secret science” rule on Tuesday, broadening its reach to cover not just rulemakings but also “influential” scientific information.

The proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule (RIN:2080-AA14), officially called “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science,” was first floated in 2018, and would prevent the agency from considering studies that aren’t or can’t be made public.

One significant change in the agency’s supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking expands the rule’s scope to cover any “influential scientific information,” even if that information isn’t used in crafting regulations.

“Influential scientific information means scientific information the agency reasonably can determine ...