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OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Court tosses Trump EPA’s ‘secret science’ rule | Biden signals major shift on regulations | Exxon, Chevron discussed merger last year: report
HAPPY MONDAY! Welcome to Overnight Energy, The Hill’s roundup of the latest energy and environment news. Please send tips and comments to Rebecca Beitsch at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter: @rebeccabeitsch. Reach Rachel Frazin at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter: @RachelFrazin. Signup for our newsletter and others HERE. CAN’T KEEP A SECRET (SCIENCE RULE): A federal court has vacated the Trump administration’s “secret science” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule, which critics had said would undermine the use of public health studies in agency rulemaking. The decision comes after the Biden administration asked the court to throw out the rule restricting the EPA’s use of studies that don’t make their…
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At Biden’s request, Montana judge vacates Trump EPA’s ‘secret science’ rule
The rule, which was made effective immediately, would assign less weight to studies built on medical histories and other confidential data from human subjects where the underlying information was not revealed. That sort of research — including dose-response studies, which evaluate how much a person’s exposure to a substance increases the risk of harm — have been used for decades to justify EPA regulations. Trump officials, including then-EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler, argued that the new rule would provide the public with greater insight on the scientific basis for new regulations. But critics argued that the Trump administration aimed to impede or block access to the best available science, weakening the…
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Former Trump officials find tough job market
Corporate America is showing no signs of rushing to snatch up the vast majority of high-level Trump officials. Prominent figures from the Trump era were already facing tough job prospects at the end of 2020, but top U.S. companies have further distanced themselves from Republicans following the deadly mob attack on the Capitol earlier this month. Several ex-officials have secured employment at right-leaning think tanks and conservative organizations instead of landing plum jobs as corporate executives or board members, while others such as former White House economic adviser Larry KudlowLarry KudlowMORE are returning to their previous line of work on cable news. Experts say the range of employment opportunities for former…
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Reversing the Trump administration’s numerous harmful efforts to censor science
As lawmakers and leaders on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we rely on the scientific community to inform everything we do, from confronting public health threats caused by the pandemic to tackling the growing climate crisis. For the past four years, our work and the work of countless federal scientists has been undermined by repeated attacks from the Trump administration. As President Biden and Vice President Harris begin their work to build our nation back better, we have a clear mandate and opportunity to listen to our constituents who are calling for us to work together to restore the role of trusted science in public policy. Let’s be…
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Court rules against fast-track of Trump EPA’s ‘secret science’ rule
A federal judge in Montana late Wednesday ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to fast-track a controversial rule about how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers scientific evidence, endangering its future under the Biden administration. The Trump EPA had characterized the rule, which would restrict the use of studies that don’t make their underlying data publicly available, as procedural, allowing it to go into effect immediately. Judge Brian Morris, an Obama appointee, disagreed, determining that the rule was substantive and ordering that it can’t go into effect until Feb. 5. Delaying the rule could jeopardize it, as it would now be subject to a new White House memo that freezes pending…
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Biden reverses Trump policy on racial training, ‘patriotic education’
President Biden on Tuesday said he’s abolishing former President Donald Trump’s “offensive” 1776 Commission on “patriotic education” and loosening rules on racial sensitivity training imposed by Trump. The 1776 Commission released a “final report” this month after it was formed ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Trump’s ban on critical race theory, also established last year, forbade federal application of the ideology to train federal workers on “white privilege.” “I’m rescinding the previous administration’s harmful ban on diversity and sensitivity training and abolish[ing] the offensive, counterfactual 1776 Commission. Unity and healing must begin with understanding and truth. Not ignorance and lies,” Biden said at the White House. Biden signed four…
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Internal watchdog to probe Trump officials who cast doubt on climate science
An internal government watchdog is investigating after two Trump administration officials apparently published papers purporting to be from the White House that promoted climate change skepticism. “After careful consideration, we decided to review this matter further,” the inspector general’s office at the Commerce Department wrote to Sen. Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoDemocrats seek answers on impact of Russian cyberattack on Justice Department, Courts Senate Democrats file ethics complaint against Hawley, Cruz over Capitol attack Democratic senator raises concerns about inauguration security MORE (D-Hawaii). Hirono asked for the investigation along with several other Democrats. The New York Times first reported the probe on Friday. The two Trump administration officials, David Legates and…
Skillful education crafters
