CITIZENS NEWS

EPA slashes workforce by 23%, dismantles research arm amid restructuring

By bellecarter // 2025-07-21

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a 23 percent workforce reduction, cutting 3,707 positions from 16,155 to 12,448 employees, as part of a cost-saving restructuring effort following a Supreme Court ruling.
• Many employees are opting for voluntary early retirement or deferred resignation programs, with 3,201 applications received, indicating significant staff turnover.
• EPA plans to establish the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions to replace the eliminated Office of Research and Development, aiming to integrate scientific expertise into decision-making and state assistance.
• The Office of Research and Development will be dismantled, raising concerns about the EPA's ability to conduct critical environmental research.
• Critics, including Rep. Valerie Foushee and former EPA scientist Dr. Emily Carter, argue that the restructuring could weaken the agency's scientific rigor and independence, potentially hindering its mission to protect human health and the environment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 18 that it will eliminate 23 percent of its workforce and dismantle its Office of Research and Development. The decision, which comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at saving nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars. EPA's workforce is expected to shrink from 16,155 employees to 12,448, a reduction of nearly 3,707 positions. Many employees have opted for voluntary early retirement or deferred resignation programs, which have been offered as part of the restructuring effort. The agency has received 3,201 applications for these programs, indicating a significant number of employees are choosing to leave. Under the leadership of Administrator Lee Zeldin, the agency has outlined a plan to create a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions. This office is intended to "prioritize research and science more than ever before," according to the agency's statement. The reorganization is designed to streamline operations and ensure that scientific expertise is integrated into rulemakings and technical assistance to states. "We are committed to protecting human health and the environment while powering the Great American Comeback," Zeldin said. "This reduction in force will allow us to be more efficient and effective in our mission."

EPA's "scientific backbone" will be eliminated as part of restructuring

The Office of Research and Development, which has been the scientific backbone of the EPA, will be eliminated as part of the restructuring. This office has been responsible for "leading-edge research" that informs agency decisions and supports the needs of EPA stakeholders, including state, tribal and community partners. Critics argue that the elimination of this office will severely hamper the EPA's ability to conduct critical research and respond to environmental risks. Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) expressed her concerns, stating, "The Office of Research and Development is vital to understanding and addressing environmental risks. The Trump Administration's plan to dissolve it is a step towards gutting the agency." The restructuring announcement follows a Supreme Court decision on July 8 that lifted a lower court ruling blocking the Trump administration from proceeding with mass layoffs of federal workers and an overhaul of federal agencies. This decision has paved the way for the EPA and other agencies to implement their restructuring plans. (Related: EPA places 144 officials on leave for criticizing Trump administration policies.) The creation of the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions is intended to fill the gap left by the elimination of the Research and Development Office. However, critics are skeptical about the new office's ability to maintain the same level of scientific rigor and independence. "The new office may prioritize applied science, but it remains to be seen whether it will have the same capacity for independent research and innovation," said Dr. Emily Carter, a former EPA scientist. EPA's restructuring effort, including the elimination of its Research and Development Office, marks a significant shift in the agency's approach to environmental protection. While the creation of the new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions aims to maintain the agency's commitment to science, the long-term impact on environmental policy and public health remains uncertain. As the agency moves forward with its plans, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the changes affect the EPA's ability to fulfill its mission. Watch the video below that talks about the EPA cutting millions in government waste. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com EPA.gov SupremeCourt.gov Brighteon.com

Donald Trump environment politics research EPA big government Public Health ecology money supply rational progress mass layoff Lee Zeldin restructuring streamlining