Acting EPA Administrator James Payne has ousted all members of two of the agency’s most influential science advisory panels, giving President Donald Trump’s administration the opportunity to reshape them with its own appointees.
In an obliquely worded email sent late Tuesday afternoon, Payne said a decision had been made to “reset” the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and Science Advisory Board “to ensure that the agency receives scientific advice consistent with its legal obligations to advance our core mission.”
EPA will seek nominations in the coming weeks, Payne added, with all members encouraged to reapply.
The CASAC provides independent expertise to EPA staff during statutorily required reviews of ambient air quality standards for lead, ozone and four other pollutants; the SAB offers scientific and technical advice on a range of issues.
Payne’s use of the word “reset” echoes language used by then-EPA Administrator Michael Regan, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, when he similarly fired members of both panels in 2021. At the time, EPA said the dismissals were needed to “reverse deficiencies” that took place during Trump’s first term.
