The EPA is quietly killing its web archive
Tens of thousands of documents on contamination, clean power, and Trump’s climate deletions are now scheduled to disappear.
The Environmental Protection Agency's decision to dismantle its web archive raises significant concerns about transparency and public access to crucial information on environmental issues. The archive contains tens of thousands of documents related to contamination, clean power, and notably, the Trump administration's climate-related deletions. This move seems to undermine the public's right to know and could hinder research, policy-making, and accountability in the environmental sector.
The EPA's web archive serves as a vital repository of information on various environmental topics, including climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts. By removing these documents, the agency risks erasing a significant part of its digital footprint, making it challenging for researchers, policymakers, and the general public to access historical data and track changes in environmental policies over time. This development is particularly concerning in the context of ongoing efforts to address climate change and promote clean energy.
As the EPA moves forward with its plans, it's essential to monitor the impact on public access to environmental information and the potential consequences for climate-related research and policy-making. Key areas to watch include any attempts to replace or make alternative arrangements for the archived documents, as well as potential Congressional or public pushback against the EPA's decision. Additionally, the extent to which this move reflects a broader shift in the agency's priorities and approach to transparency under the Biden administration remains to be seen.
Originally reported by grist.org. ClimateNews adds analysis for climate & energy readers.