Science is essential as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency carries out its mission to protect human health and the environment. In fact, laws passed by Congress require the EPA to use the “best available science” in many decisions about regulations, permits, cleaning up contaminated sites and responding to emergencies.
In addition to being an academic researcher who works on air pollution, from 2022 to 2024, I served as assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Research and Development and the EPA science adviser. The Office of Research and Development is the agency’s scientific research arm and the EPA’s primary source for gathering and developing the best available science for decision-makers.
During my time at the EPA, the Office of Research and Development’s work informed regulatory decisions involving air, water, land and chemicals. It informed enforcement actions, as well as cleanup and emergency response efforts in EPA’s regions. State agencies and tribal nations also look to the EPA for expertise on the best available science, since they typically do not have resources to develop this science themselves.
H. Christopher Frey
Former Assistant Administrator (2022-2024) of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
