EPA TAKES CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO SAB PUSH FOR ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Top EPA officials are questioning whether the agency can significantly boost its use of ecological benefits estimates despite an effort by the Science Advisory Board (SAB) urging the agency to bolster the practice when justifying regulations, standards and policies. EPA officials say that while they welcome the use of ecological benefits in developing policy, particularly for regional approaches, they are concerned that resource constraints, White House oversight and judicial review could dampen future efforts. Valuing ecological benefits could strengthen regulations...