On Friday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that a reorganization of various offices could lead to annual savings of $300 million, with the goal of enhancing the efficiency of agencies responsible for safeguarding the nation’s air, land, and water.
In his written statement, Zeldin emphasized the need for these organizations to enhance their performance and fulfill their legal obligations, while actively promoting the EPA’s primary mission of protecting public health and the environment. “This reorganization will create the efficiency necessary to integrate scientific research into rule-making, allowing us to concentrate on delivering the cleanest air, land, and water to our communities, while also saving Americans at least $300 million each year,” he stated.
Zeldin’s announcement comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at “implementing the President’s Office of Government Efficiency,” which seeks to transform government operations in a way that benefits American families, workers, and taxpayers.
Part of the EPA’s restructuring involves establishing a new office dedicated to state aviation partnerships within the Aviation and Radiation Department. This aims to ensure that state, local, and tribal permitting bodies receive consistent information, no matter where they are located. Additionally, a Clean Air Programs office will be set up to focus on expertise, transparency, and cohesive regulatory development.
The agency will also introduce the Office of Applied Science Environmental Solutions (OASE) under the administrator, which will coordinate research efforts and prioritize science in institutional rule-making and state support.
The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Control (OCSPP) is set to benefit from the addition of over 130 scientific and technical experts. This support is intended to address a backlog of 504 new chemical reviews and over 12,000 pesticide evaluations that are overdue.
The agency is also equipped to tackle PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” which are persistent in the environment and linked to serious health risks, including various cancers and reproductive issues.
This reorganization is expected to help the EPA streamline its chemical and pesticide review processes.
Once the restructuring wraps up, the agency anticipates that its staffing levels will align closely with those during President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
In March, the EPA disbanded the Biden-Harris Environmental Justice (EJ) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, resulting in a shift of 175 of the 280 DEI and EJ employees to different offices.
One hundred days into Trump’s presidency, Zeldin also announced a hundred environmental initiatives introduced by government agencies aimed at “supporting America’s recovery” under the 47th President.
Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter at @seanmoran3.
