EPA Announces Major Restructuring
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lee Zeldin revealed on Friday that the agency plans to cut $750 million in taxpayer spending through staff reductions and a restructuring process. This effort aims to better position the agency as part of what Zeldin calls the “great American comeback.”
“With President Trump’s leadership, the EPA is re-evaluating its operations,” Zeldin stated. “We want to ensure that our agents are more equipped than ever to fulfill our primary mission of safeguarding human health and the environment while promoting America’s recovery.”
At the start of the Trump administration, the EPA employed 16,155 staff members. Due to voluntary retirements and other reductions, the current workforce stands at 12,448. This figure includes 3,201 applications related to various retirement options.
The agency’s reduction efforts will follow the protocols set by the Human Resources Office (OPM) and will involve restructuring the Office of Research and Development (ORD) to enhance operational efficiency. Individual RIF notifications will be issued to affected employees.
Additionally, the EPA is offering a third Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) for eligible staff, including those from ORD, with the application window open until July 25th.
In May, the agency indicated plans for further organizational changes aimed at ensuring clean air, land, and water for all Americans.
Following a temporary restraining order and interim injunction, the implementation of these restructurings was paused. However, after the Supreme Court’s decision on July 8, which lifted the earlier injunction, the EPA has resumed its hiring plans to support the Trump administration’s initiatives.
Moreover, the EPA announced the termination of the Biden administration’s Environmental Justice (EJ) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This change eliminated positions for 280 DEI and EJ employees and redistributed 195 staff who carried out essential statutory responsibilities to other offices.
