By Todd Neeley
DTN Staff Reporter
OMAHA (DTN) — A federal court has set aside an EPA directive banning scientists from serving on scientific advisory boards if they hold agency grants. The ruling leaves attorneys on both sides of the case questioning the next steps.
On Feb. 10, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled the agency policy changed by EPA when Scott Pruitt was administrator violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
Judge Denise Cote ruled the agency failed to provide a reasoned explanation for its policy reversal by issuing the directive in ?contravention of federal ethics laws,? to articulate a ?rational connection between facts found and the choice it made,? to address the policy’s ?impact on the balance of advisory committee membership,? and to consider the ?significant reliance interests? of scientists affected by the policy.
Last week, attorneys for the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote a letter to the judge indicating both sides are unable to agree on how to proceed in the case.
