BURSTThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is eliminating a scientific research office known as the Office of Research and Development and firing some of the staffers who work there.
“Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a reduction in force (RIF) as the agency continues its comprehensive restructuring efforts,” the agency said in a press release. “The RIF will impact the Office of Research and Development.”
An EPA spokesperson told The Hill in an email that the agency plans to “eliminate the Office of Research and Development (ORD).”
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the agency’s scientific research will end.
The agency previously announced that it would be moving at least some science into a new office called the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions (OASES). While ORD has operated as its own office within EPA, OASES will be housed within the office of the administrator.
The EPA said in May that the new science office will “align research and put science at the forefront of the agency’s rulemakings and technical assistance to states.”
Critics expressed concerns that moving science into the administrators office would make it easier for political influence to taint scientific research.
The EPA says it is getting rid of ORD to “improve the effectiveness and efficiency of EPA operations and align core statutory requirements with its organizational structure.”
It’s not immediately clear exactly how many staffers are being let go as part of the Friday afternoon announcement.
The press release states that the agency had 16,155 employees in January and will be down to 12,448 staffers. It said that 3,201 took a buyout and an additional 280 were fired amid a push to oust employees who worked on tackling pollution in underserved and minority communities.
That leaves 226 workers, but it’s not clear if all of those people will be let go as part of the agency’s latest move.
Asked to clarify, the EPA spokesperson noted that buyouts are still underway, which could impact the total number of employees who are ultimately fired.
“This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in a written statement.
—Updated at 4:30 p.m. EDT