Democrats:
Brad Miller (North Carolina),
Chairman
Jerry F. Costello (Illinois)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas)
Vice Chairman
Steven R. Rothman (New Jersey)
Brian Baird (Washington)
Andre Carson
(Indiana)
Bart Gordon (Tennessee),
ex officio
Republicans:
F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (Wisconsin),
Ranking Member
Dana Rohrabacher (California)
Dave Reichert (Washington)
Paul Broun (Georgia)
Ralph M. Hall (Texas),
ex officio
Subcommittee Investigates EPA Library ClosuresChairman Miller questioning witnesses at the hearing on March 13, 2008. |
Subcommittee Members held a hearing on March 13 to further examine the sudden closure of several of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) libraries. Due to EPA imposed budget cuts, the library at headquarters and three regional libraries have already been closed, eliminating 23 states’ access to valuable environmental research and materials.
"The most generous possible explanation is that EPA managers were stunningly incompetent," said Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller. "But it is possible that the explanation is more sinister. The EPA ignored their own careful plans and abruptly closed libraries, limited access to the public and EPA employees, and just threw away documents that may be irreplaceable. The EPA’s ability to protect the environment and public health is badly compromised as a result."
More than a year ago, Chairmen Bart Gordon (D-TN), John Dingell (D-MI), Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) asked the GAO to investigate the library closures and possible destruction of valuable information. The GAO’s assessment report was released at Chairman Miller’s hearing. The report found the decision to close the EPA libraries unjustified and strongly implied the entire process used to close the libraries was flawed. GAO recommended that EPA cease further actions until they justify their previous decision to close libraries, improve outreach methods, ensure adequate oversight, and implement procedures for dispersing and disposing of materials.
Read more about EPA library closures >>
General and special investigative and oversight authority on all matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science and Technology.
Subcommittee Quick Links |
(October 6, 2008) Subcommittee Report Finds CDC Has Failed to Protect the Public Health
(September 22, 2008) Chairman Miller Sends Letter Denouncing Apparent Retribution Against Recent Subcommittee Witness
Letters From:
(May 23, 2007) Department of Energy Officials Respond to Chairmen's Request Regarding SREL
(March 30, 2007) PCIE Releases Investigative Report on NASA Inspector General to Committee
Letters To:
(September 19, 2008) Letter to Secretary Peake Regarding Witness Retaliation
(August 21, 2008) Miller letter to Inspector General Maquire Regarding Technical Flaws in Terrorist Watch List
(September 20, 2007) Watching Over Spending Is Our Job [Miller, Lampson]
(July 2, 2007) Oversight of the NASA Inspector General
(May 21, 2008) [CRS] The Global Competitive Environment, Drivers of Change, and Potential Implications for Federal Policy