House approves limits on EPA data use

WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled House last week passed legislation that would put stricter limits on what scientific findings the Environmental Protection Agency can use to justify its regulations.

The bill, called the HONEST Act, would require the agency to use only scientific findings for which the underlying data is publicly available, potentially leaving out medical studies that keep data private to protect patients. Such studies are used frequently by the EPA to create regulations on everything from power plant emissions to acceptable levels of cancer-causing toxins in drinking water.

“The American people have a right to see the data that is used to justify EPA’s costly regulations,” Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, author of the bill and chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said in a statement. “The days of ‘trust me’ science are over.”

Democrats have long opposed the measure, arguing it “would prevent EPA from functioning effectively and using the most relevant scientific data.” Other foes include the American Lung Association, the American Thoracic Society and the Association of American Universities, which represents the University of Texas and Texas A&M University.

A provision within Smith’s bill requires the EPA to redact confidential information and that which might be used to identify an individual before releasing the data. But the bill only sets aside $1 million for the process — something the Congressional Budget Office estimated in 2015 would cost $1 billion over four years.

“The result,” Democrats said in a memo, “EPA’s work grinds to a halt, and the health of Americans and the environment are put at risk.”