RantCrush Top 5: May 9, 2017

Scott Pruitt has decided not to renew the terms of half of the 18-member Environmental Protection Agency board of scientific counselors. Instead, he plans to replace the nine outgoing members with people who work in the industries that the EPA regulates. This scientific review board advises the EPA on its scientific research, checking on the quality and accuracy.

“These people aren’t Obama appointees, they are scientific appointees. To have a political decision to get rid of them was a shock,” said Deborah Swackhamer, chair of the board. She said there had been no previous indication the board members would not have their terms renewed, and that this opens up the board to a ton of possible conflicts of interest.

Scientists were kicked off an EPA advisory panel to make room for industry

We talked to them & they’re steamed https://t.co/3JrXlgmPm6

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) May 8, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.