government & policy
concentrates Research at EPA nailed by NRC study The state of research performed by EPA has been taken to task again by a panel of the National Research Council. In its fourth report on the status of EPA research, NRC says that suggestions made in previous reports have not improved the agency's science enough. The report points to problems with EPA's scientific credibility, its peer review process, and its ability to retain high-quality staff and establish long-term research priorities. A primary recommendation is that EPA establish a new position, deputy administrator for science and technology, that would have the authority and responsibility to coordinate and oversee scientific activities throughout the agency. The panel states that the "lack of a top science official is a formula for weak scientific performance . . . and poor scientific credibility." The report is available on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu/openbook/ 0309071275/html/.^
New nightmares for Los Alamos A congressional frenzy erupted last week over news that staff at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) lost two computer hard drives holding classified nuclear weapons information, including instructions on how to disarm and dismantle U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons. Lab scientists discovered on May 7 that the drives were missing but did not report this to LANL officials until May 31. The Department of Energy learned of it a day later. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson told reporters he was "outraged" by the security lapses and the reporting delay. He said, however, that DOE experts thought it was more likely a "misplacement" than espionage. Still, he said DOE has begun to administer polygraph tests to workers concerning the loss and has promised disciplinary action. The lab has suspended with pay six administrators, including Stephen Younger, head of LANL's weapons program. This security breach comes a year after the discovery of other LANL security lapses and congressional pressure to reorganize DOE nuclear weapons operations into a semiautonomous National Nuclear Security 2 2 JUNE 19, 2000 C&EN
Administration (NNSA). Last week, members of Congress renewed their call for more hearings and even legislation, and this time several said they plan to hold Richardson accountable. Also, the Senate unanimously confirmed John A. Gordon, deputy CIA director, to lead NNSA^
cial stresses, the state wants to make sure DOE manages the double-walled tanks properly. Along with thefine,the state ordered DOE to fully assess all doubleshelled tanks by 2006.^
Science Board releases its indicators report
To highlight the "wise and balanced" federal R&D investments during the past several decades, the President's Committee of Advisors on Science & Technology (PCAST) has issued a report, "Wellspring of Prosperity: Science and Technology in the U.S. Economy— How Investments in Discovery Are Making Our Lives Better." PCAST in particular "congratulates" the ClintonGore Administration "for its hard work and foresight." In fact, most of the report focuses on activities during the years of the Clinton Administration, rather than the decades it claims to cover. Entire chapters are devoted to such fields as information technology, the global positioning system, and biomedical technologies—all Administration favorites—but it gives only brief mention of developments in the chemical sciences. Chemistry is mentioned under topics such as sustainable development and environmental technology.^
The National Science Board (NSB) this week is releasing its "Science and Engineering Indicators 2000" report. The report is made biennially to the President, and this year's report focuses on industry R&D, international collaborations in science, and the so-called digital divide in computer literacy. The report also acknowledges this year's 50th anniversary of both NSB and NSF with a special chapter on the past 50 years of the U.S. science and technology enterprise (see page 24). One gloomy note in a section of the report devoted to chemistry is the percentage of Ph.D. recipients who, one to five years after receiving their degree, say they regret their field of choice. Among chemistry Ph.D. recipients, 23.9% indicated such regret. That was topped only by recipients of Ph.D. degrees in physics, 24.4% of whom indicated that they regret their field of choice.^
Washington State fines DOE over Hanford schedule
Administration report cites own investments
Action expected soon on brownfields bill
Senate action is expected this summer on new bipartisan legislation that would promote cleanup of abandoned industrial sites called brownfields. The bill (S. 2700), introduced earlier this month, The Washington Department of Ecology would provide protection from cleanup hasfinedthe federal Department of Ener- liability for owners of property contigugy $200,000, its largest assessment ous to the site, prospective purchasers, against DOE, for failing to keep the clean- and innocent landowners not responsiup of the Hanford Reservation on an ble for pollution at brownfield sites. It agreed-to schedule. Specifically, the state also would give states money to clean fined DOE for failing to assess the integ- up brownfields and defer placing a site rity of double-walled tanks that hold high- on Superfund's National Priorities List if ly radioactive wastes. Some 53 million gal a state is moving to clean it up. Key senof waste is stored in huge tanks at the ators are promoting the bill: Robert C. site, awaiting treatment that will take de- Smith (R-N.H.), chairman of the Senate cades to complete. According to a state Environment & Public Works Commitofficial, the action "illustrates the impor- tee; Max Baucus (Mont), the committance we place on the tanks." One of the tee's ranking Democrat; and Lincoln D. biggest messes at Hanford, the official Chafee (R-R.L), chairman of the Supersays, is leaks from single-shelled tanks. fund, Waste Control & Risk Assessment The double-shelled tanks are being used Subcommittee. Smith said the bill "sets to take store waste from the leaking sin- the stage for comprehensive reform of gle-shelled tanks. Consequently, the offi- the Superfund program nextyear."^
