The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a broad reorganization last Friday aimed at cost-cutting measures proposed by the Trump administration.
Administrator Lee Zeldin outlined the changes, including the establishment of a new unit within his office to enhance research alignment and prioritize science in the agency’s rulemaking processes.
The big picture: The reorganization is expected to increase operational efficiency and generate annual savings of at least $300 million, although specific details on cost-saving strategies were not disclosed.
- Activists and some scientists expressed concerns over the potential impact of the reorganization on the EPA’s independent scientific research, particularly regarding the Office of Research and Development.
- President Donald Trump’s proposed budget included a reduction of $235 million in funding for the Office of Research and Development, citing concerns about unrestrained research grants, radical environmental justice initiatives, and climate research practices.
Go deeper: Reports suggested potential layoffs affecting up to 1155 staff members in the Office of Research and Development, as part of broader measures to reduce EPA’s budget by two-thirds.
- Zeldin’s reorganization plan also introduced the Office of State Air Partnerships to collaborate with states and other agencies on pollution reduction strategies, emphasizing consistent treatment for all states regardless of their geographical differences.
- Zeldin projected that staffing levels post-reorganization would mirror those from the Reagan era, reinstating positions similar to that time when EPA had around 15,000 employees.
