Article snippet: Scott Pruitt announced a new rule Tuesday that would limit what kind of science the EPA can consider in writing new environmental rules. Pruitt said the rule would ban the EPA from relying on what he called "secret science," research that didn't make the raw data behind it available to the general public, saying the new proposal makes the process more transparent. But seven Senate Democrats on the committee with oversight of EPA wrote to Pruitt saying that the new rule could violate laws that require agencies to use "the best available science." The new rule announced has a similar goal as legislation pushed by the chairman of the House Science Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, nicknamed the HONEST Act. Pruitt thanked Smith at the short event announcing the rule at the EPA on Tuesday. "This is really a great day, it's a banner day," Pruitt said. He said in the announcement that making public data available will allow outside groups or members of the public to try to replicate results cited in studies used to write new rules. “The era of secret science at EPA is coming to an end,” Pruitt said in a statement. “The ability to test, authenticate, and reproduce scientific findings is vital for the integrity of the rulemaking process. Americans deserve to assess the legitimacy of the science underpinning EPA decisions that may impact their lives.” But critics of the policy, including former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy, say the new rule could under... Link to the full article to read more