-Caveat Lector-
SECRET SCIENTIFIC DATA VIOLATES THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Policy makers often rely on scientific research, much of which is
funded by the federal government, in making important policy
decisions. Faulty research can result in bad policy. For
example:
o Scientist Robert Liburdy faked data that resulted in
costly efforts to mitigate the effects -- later found not
to exist -- of high-tension electric lines.
o The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tried to impose
new, expensive and possibly hazardous air quality
standards based on scientific data it claimed were not
available for review.
To ensure open access to publicly funded scientific data in the
future, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) inserted a provision into
the Fiscal Year 1999 Omnibus Spending Bill making it available to
the public. Now a move is afoot to repeal or delay the Shelby
requirement.
Congress directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to
draft regulations requiring "Federal awarding agencies to ensure
that all data produced under an award will be made available to
the public through procedures established under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA)." In response, the OMB drafted a narrower
set of regulations requiring only that data from published
federally funded research actually used in developing policies or
rules be made available.
Aside from promoting scientific integrity, the new rules would
promote open government and better informed democratic decision
making. In addition, it promotes fiscal responsibility.
Regulations cost Americans more than $700 billion, or more than
$6,000 per household, each year (see figure
http://www.ncpa.org/ba/gif/ba304fig.gif ).
Some legislators wish to rescind or delay the Shelby provision.
The late Rep. George Brown (D-Calif.) sponsored a bill to repeal
it, and Reps. David Price (D-N.C.) and James Walsh (R-N.Y.)
attempted to attach an amendment to appropriation bills that
would delay its implementation for a year.
Source: H. Sterling Burnett (NCPA Senior Policy Analyst), "Secret
Disservice: Covering Up Scientific Data Violates the Public's
Right to Know," Brief Analysis No. 304, August 11, 1999, National
Center for Policy Analysis, 12655 N. Central Expy., Suite 720,
Dallas, Texas 75243, (972) 386-6272.
For text http://www.ncpa.org/ba/ba304.html
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