EPA chief Zeldin announces overhauls to bring agency back to Reagan-level staffing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undergoing a significant overhaul aimed at reducing staffing levels to levels not seen since the Reagan administration in an effort to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. EPA chief Lee Zeldin announced the reorganization on Friday, emphasizing that the changes will bring much-needed efficiencies to the agency’s operations while maintaining a strong focus on protecting human health and the environment.

Zeldin’s plan is to slash the EPA’s workforce from approximately 15,000 full-time employees to levels similar to those in 1984, when there were 11,400 staffers under President Reagan. The restructuring will impact several key offices within the EPA, including the Office of the Administrator, the Office of Air and Radiation, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, and the Office of Water.

One of the major changes involves the creation of a new office called the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions, which will prioritize research and ensure that science plays a central role in the agency’s rulemaking and technical assistance to states. Additionally, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention will see an increase in scientific, technical, bioinformatic, and information technology experts to address backlogs in chemical reviews.

The EPA will also establish the Office of State Air Partnerships within the Office of Air and Radiation to streamline air permitting processes at the state, local, and tribal levels. Furthermore, the creation of the Office of Clean Air Programs and adjustments to the Office of Water will better align regulatory development with scientific research.

Zeldin highlighted the need for greater efficiency within the agency, pointing out that he inherited a workforce with low attendance rates before implementing changes to end remote work and increase accountability. He also emphasized the need to reduce excess spending, citing a significant reduction in grants and contracts to save taxpayer dollars.

Overall, the EPA’s restructuring aims to improve the agency’s effectiveness, streamline operations, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently to fulfill its mission of protecting the environment and public health. The changes proposed by Zeldin reflect a commitment to common-sense policies and a focus on delivering the cleanest air, land, and water for communities across the country.