Trump Administration Unveils Overhaul of EPA, Streamlining Approval for New Chemicals

On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to reassign scientists from independent labs to various departments.

Administrator Lee Zeldin disclosed these adjustments in a video statement, indicating that the agency is “reshaping scientific expertise” to concentrate on what are deemed “mission essentials.”

The most immediate impact will be on the Research and Development Bureau, the EPA’s primary research faction, which investigates aspects like the health and environmental repercussions of “eternal chemicals” in drinking water, as well as strategies to lessen airborne particulate pollution.

An internal document reviewed by the New York Times highlighted the Trump administration’s proposal to dissolve this office as part of a plan to eliminate 1,155 scientists, including chemists, biologists, and toxicologists engaged in health and environmental research.

While the changes weren’t enacted on Friday, the agency’s new focus areas were unveiled. According to Zeldin, 130 positions will transition to the office responsible for new chemical approvals, addressing the long-standing backlog cited by the Chemical Industry Group.

During the All Hands Staff Meeting later that day, Nancy Beck, a previous lobbyist for the American Council of Chemicals and now at the helm of the EPA’s chemicals office, reassured Scientists, remarking that it was a “very exciting time.”

She encouraged everyone in the agency to consider applying for these roles.

Officials from the Trump administration have indicated that further laboratory changes are on the horizon. A scientist on a call expressed concern that failing to transition to one of the new areas might result in job termination.

Additionally, on Friday, the EPA postponed the deadline for accepting withdrawal offers, which is now extended to May 9.

“This feels like a hunger game,” remarked a lab employee who opted for anonymity to avoid potential retaliation.

Other scientists will transition to managerial positions as part of the new office focused on applied scientific environmental solutions. Zeldin emphasized the need to “put science at the center of agency regulations.”

Democrats and environmental advocates have raised concerns that these changes could politicize scientific inquiry.

“This so-called ‘reorganization’ is merely a thinly veiled effort to diminish the agency’s globally respected scientific capacity by redistributing scientists and managing chemical assessments for the industry,” stated Deputy Director Cherry Pingley, a Democrat from Maine.

Chitra Kumar, managing director of the climate program at the federal advocacy group Concern Scientists Federal, warned that relocating scientists to policy offices “will expose these experts to political pressures, particularly in this administration.”

This shift occurs amidst the agency’s extensive deregulation initiative. Under Zeldin’s direction, the EPA has revised or rescinded over 30 regulations intended to safeguard air, water, and climate quality. Managers are also focused on dismantling the legal foundations of many climate regulations known as danger detection.