The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set for a significant reorganization aimed at reducing its workforce to levels not seen since the Reagan administration, as announced by agency Chief Lee Zeldin on Friday. The goal? To save around $300 million annually.
Zeldin stated in a press release, “This restructuring will enhance efficiency by integrating science into our rulemaking process and will ensure our focus remains on delivering the cleanest air, land, and water to our communities.”
Currently, the EPA employs about 15,000 full-time workers. Zeldin mentioned a desire to scale the workforce down to around the 11,400 employed during Reagan’s presidency. He aims to implement “common sense policies” that prioritize human health and environmental protection while reforming various offices within the agency.
The reorganization plans affect several key departments, including the administrator’s office, the Aviation and Radiation Department, the Bureau of Chemical Safety and Pollution Control, and the Water Department. Additionally, a new office termed the Office of Applied Science Environmental Solutions will be introduced, focusing on legal obligations and essential functions.
This new office aims to prioritize research while putting states at the forefront of institutional rulemaking and technical support. Zeldin also mentioned working directly with over 504 new chemical backlogs, seeking to enhance the agency’s scientific and technical capacity.
Zeldin also plans to streamline the resolution of concerns across state, local, and tribal levels, along with creating a department focused on partnerships within the Aviation and Radiation sector.
Furthermore, an office dedicated to the Clean Air Program aims to coordinate essential duties and ensure clearer and more efficient regulatory development. Changes to the Water Office will also enhance the coordination of regulatory and policy initiatives.
When Zeldin took the helm earlier this year, he noted inheriting a workforce not fully engaged in their roles, highlighting a workforce attendance of about 37% during a visit to the EPA’s headquarters in DC the previous year.
The budget for the EPA last year was approximately $63 billion, which is expected to undergo adjustments between $6 billion and $8 billion annually. Zeldin emphasized a commitment to making the agency more cost-effective, indicating that significant improvements have already begun by reevaluating grants, contracts, and other operational expenses.
