WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly planning to eliminate its scientific research division, potentially resulting in the dismissal of over 1,000 scientists and staff. These employees are crucial for providing the scientific basis for regulations protecting human health and ecosystems from environmental pollutants.
According to documents reviewed by Democratic staff of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, the potential layoffs could affect as many as 1,155 scientists, including chemists, biologists, and toxicologists. This figure represents approximately 75% of the research program’s total workforce.
The Trump administration has framed these planned layoffs as part of a larger effort to reduce the size of the federal government and improve its efficiency. However, critics have denounced the move as a significant dismantling of the EPA’s long-standing mission to safeguard public health and the environment.
The New York Times initially reported on these plans.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has stated his goal of cutting the agency’s budget by 65%. This substantial reduction in funding would necessitate significant staff reductions across various functions, including air and water quality monitoring, disaster response, and lead abatement. Furthermore, the EPA has issued guidelines requiring approval from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for any spending exceeding $50,000.
According to the memo, the Office of Research and Development, which serves as the EPA’s primary scientific branch, currently employs 1,540 individuals, excluding special government employees and public health officers. The memo indicates that a majority of the staff, ranging from 50% to 75%, “will not be retained.”
The proposal involves dissolving the research office and transferring the remaining personnel to other agency departments. The aim is to “provide increased oversight and align with administration priorities,” according to the memo. EPA officials have submitted the plan to the White House for review.
EPA spokeswoman Molly Vaseliou stated that the agency “is taking exciting steps as we enter the next phase of organizational improvements,” but emphasized that no final decisions have been made.
She added, “We are committed to enhancing our ability to deliver clean air, water and land for all Americans,” and “While no decisions have been made yet, we are actively listening to employees at all levels to gather ideas on how to increase efficiency and ensure the EPA is as up to date and effective as ever.”
California Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the leading Democrat on the science committee, issued a statement asserting that Congress created the agency’s research office and that “eliminating it is illegal.”
Lofgren emphasized that every decision made by the EPA “must be in furtherance of protecting human health and the environment, and that just can’t happen if you gut EPA science.”
She further stated, “EPA cannot meet its legal obligation to use the best available science without (the Office of Research and Development) and that’s the point.” Lofgren accused President Donald Trump and his advisor, Musk, of “putting their polluter buddies’ bottom lines over the health and safety of Americans.”
She argued that during his first term, “Trump and his cronies politicized and distorted science,” and “Now, this is their attempt to kill it for good.”
Ticora Jones, the chief science officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group, asserted that Trump’s EPA “yet again is putting polluters over people.”
She urged Congress to “stand up and demand that EPA keep its scientists on the beat so that we all can get the clean air and clean water we need and deserve.”