EPA Extends Comment Period on Transparency Proposal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 18 issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPR) to the proposed rule, "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science." When finalized, the EPA says the proposal is intended to ensure "that all important studies underlying significant regulatory actions at the EPA, regardless of their source, are available for a transparent review by qualified scientists." The agency set a 30-day comment period for the rule that was scheduled to close April 17. On April 2, the EPA announced an extension of the comment period for the SNPR; the comment period will close May 18. As previously reported by NAHBNow, when the EPA first published the proposed "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science" rule, NAHB submitted comments encouraging the agency to make all scientific data supporting a regulatory action available for public review. In addition, NAHB asked EPA to extend the scientific data transparency proposal to proposed rules as well as agency guidance documents. Under the SNPR, the EPA is soliciting additional comments on clarifications made to the 2018 proposal. Among other provisions, the SNPR clarifies the scope and type of information and regulatory decisions to which the proposal would apply, as well as the ability of the EPA administrator to grant exemptions. Additionally, EPA is taking comment on what source of agency authority should be used for taking this action. NAHB staff is reviewing the proposal to determine what, if any, additional comments NAHB should submit. For more information, contact Tamra Spielvogel at 800-368-5242 x8327. To learn more about the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science proposal, visit the EPA website.