© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

MSU prof cut from EPA panel

Robert Richardson photo
Courtesy
/
Robert Richardson
Robert Richardson is an MSU Department of Community Sustainability associate professor.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is replacing half the members of an advisory board, including a Michigan State University faculty member.

One of the members of the EPA’s 18-member Board of Scientific Counselors not being renewed is MSU Department of Community Sustainability associate professor Robert Richardson. On Friday, Richardson tweeted, quoting here, “Today, I was Trumped.”

Richardson says he believes this decision, again quoting, “was a political one in nature.” He calls the panel “apolitical.”

Scott Pruitt’s chief of staff at the EPA, Ryan Jackson, says those not being renewed can reapply. Richardson hasn’t decided if he will reapply for membership on the board. 

Scott Pohl has maintained an on-call schedule reporting for WKAR following his retirement after 36 years on the air at the station.
Related Content
Support Local Journalism in Mid-Michigan

Help WKAR reach 200 donations by June 20 to fund more of the fact-based reporting mid-Michigan relies on. When we hit the goal, MSU Federal Credit Union will unlock a $10,000 gift in support of your public media station.

Be one of the 200. Give now.