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Science Advisory Board
Release Date: 11/04/2003
Contact Information:
Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / [email protected]
(11/04/03) To enhance the role of independent scientific advice in environmental policy-making, an important reorganization of EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) was announced today. The SAB is made up of leading scientific experts and was established by Congress in 1978 to assist the EPA Administrator in making the best environmental decisions to protect human health and the environment. As the science behind environmental decisions increases in complexity, the SAB will be restructured to provide scientific reviews and advice that meet the greatly expanded responsibilities since the Board’s creation.
The 33-member Board appointed by the Administrator, will have capacity to initiate more direct consultations, special workshops, studies or form new ad hoc panels. The reorganization will also allow SAB greater opportunity to focus on newer, highly visible and priority environmental science issues facing the Agency, such as the use of genomics in risk assessments and emerging technologies for remediation or pollution prevention.
“EPA is an agency whose policies have a significant impact on the lives of U.S. citizens and the conduct of business in America,” said Acting Administrator Marianne Horinko. “The Science Advisory Board is critical in ensuring that EPA’s best available scientific knowledge has been independently reviewed by leading scientists in the field.”
Dr. William Glaze, who has served as Chair of the SAB since 2000, stated, “The reorganization announced today will facilitate the Board – and the Agency – in keeping up with the rapid evolution of science. It will equip us with quality review processes that follow the highest standards.”
As a Federal Advisory Committee, the SAB conducts its business in public view and benefits from public input during its deliberations. The Agency’s plan to reorganize the SAB was developed after taking public comment and holding public meetings on the proposal. For more information, go to: https://www.epa.gov/sab/
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