EPA bans CNN, AP from covering summit on chemicals, ‘forcibly’ removes reporter

rjzimmerman:

First off, what was this “summit” about?

I posted links to a couple of stories about the intentional delay by the EPA (and perhaps other federal agencies) to delay the issuance of a report about the high levels of the toxic chemicals polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl, better known as PFAS, in the drinking water of millions of Americans. These chemicals were used for decades in the manufacture of nonstick pans, water-repellent clothes and firefighting foam (think teflon), and have been linked to increased risks of kidney cancer, thyroid problems, high cholesterol and hormone disruption, among other issues. The withheld study tells us that the chemicals endanger human health at levels far lower than what the EPA says is safe.

Earlier this year, EPA staff met with chemical industry representatives (including the American Chemistry Council, a trade association) to discuss the chemicals after a White House official privately suggested to those officials that the study on the substances might be a “public relations nightmare.” Hence, no release of the study. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and the House raised the alarm, leading to this “summit” meeting yesterday (May 21).

Then this dust-up at the meeting with reporters. Excerpt from the Think Progress story:

On Tuesday morning, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt greeted a crowed of nearly 200 at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The attendees were there for a national summit on polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances — also known as PFAS, a class of chemicals linked to potentially serious health impacts with long-term exposure.

But absent from the summit’s introductory statement were reporters from several news outlets, including the Associated Press, CNN, and E&E News. One reporter with the Associated Press was allegedly forcibly removed from the EPA headquarters after trying to enter to report on the summit.

The altercation reportedly occurred after EPA security told the reporter that they could not enter the building to report on the summit. When the reporter asked to speak to a public affairs representative with the EPA, a security guard reportedly“grabbed the reporter by the shoulders and shoved her forcibly out of the EPA building.”

Other reporters were allowed to attend the event — breaking with the EPA’s history under the Trump administration of not inviting reporters to cover agency events or announcements live — but were asked to leave after the first hour, which included introductory remarks by Pruitt as well as an explanation of the science of PFAS from the director of the EPA’s Office of Pollution Protection and Toxics and a representative from the American Chemistry Council, the main trade association for the chemical industry.

Scott Pruitt later relented, and allowed reporters back in to the summit, including today’s sessions.

EPA bans CNN, AP from covering summit on chemicals, ‘forcibly’ removes reporter