Nine EPA science advisers cut loose

The Environmental Protection Agency is still reeling from news that its chief administrator, Scott Pruitt, will not renew contracts for nine of its top scientific advisers.

Another four advisers are stepping down from the Board of Scientific Counselors and their replacements have not been announced.

Pruitt indicated he would seek to fill the vacancies with members from industries rather than academia, but a hiring freeze at the EPA complicates filling those positions.

Former University of Minnesota Water Resource Center director, Deborah Swackhamer, says Pruitt is moving against scientists who were appointed by the Obama Administration.

"For him to make this political and say, 'I'm going to have appointments on this board based on me', to me, this is a very bad road to go down," she said, adding that all the advisory groups at the EPA are apolitical, and have no role in enacting policy.

Swackhamer is the chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors. She discussed the decision with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

Click on the audio player above to hear their conversation.