• 26
  • August
    2010

"If there is an ongoing controversy in science, you don't put out regulations that cost billions of dollars."

That is the opinion of UCLA associate research professor Dr. James Enstrom, as quoted in Land Line Magazine this month. It seems like sound reasoning, but that opinion could get Enstrom fired.

An employee at UCLA for more than 35 years, Enstrom has voiced concerns regarding the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) data regarding diesel exhaust. Under CARB's diesel exhaust rule, truckers and bus fleets are required to install "diesel particulate matter filters" and upgrade truck engines by January 2012.

In total, this could cost truck drivers and transportation companies upward of $10 billion. However, those who fail to comply face thousands of dollars in fines.

In late 2009, the top researcher working on CARB's diesel exhaust rule was found to have forged his resume and lied to superiors at CARB on many different occasions. For reasons unknown, CARB Chairman Mary Nichols deigned not to tell all the members on the agency's board.

Finally revealed a year later, many were outraged and some, like Enstrom, called for a reconsideration of the diesel exhaust rule. Amazingly, even as Enstrom faces termination, the researcher who lied on his resume is still employed by CARB.

Some have claimed that political pressure and outside interests have begun to seep into the field of science, influencing study results and official opinion. If true, then science would greatly benefit from those like Enstrom, willing to risk ostracization to reveal the truth.

Instead, CARB seems to be set on retaliation. If fired, Enstrom may consider appealing the situation.

Related Resource