Commentary: DENVER—In response to reports this week that the Department of Interior is requiring USGS scientists to submit their presentation titles for political review and that the Interior Department watchdog found no basis for canceling a study into the health effects of mountaintop removal mining, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Advocacy Director Jesse Prentice-Dunn:
“Secretary Zinke must end this censorship. Politicians should rely on sound science to make sound policy. Ryan Zinke has it the other way around: He consistently tries to bury science that doesn’t fit his politically predetermined decisions. From geology to archaeology to climatology, we now see a pattern of Zinke silencing researchers that can only be described as an all-out war on science.”
Previously:
Interior agency blocks group of archaeologists from attending scientific conference [Washington Post]
Human role in climate change removed from science report [Reveal]
Senior USGS officials resign after Secretary Zinke asked for confidential energy data [Washington Post]
Interior Department axed health study on coal without clear reason [Reuters]
Interior Department whistleblower resigns, alleging department retaliation over climate change research[Washington Post]
Scientists at USGS face new scrutiny on research presentations [Washington Post]