EPA Initiates Major Staff Cuts in Environmental Justice Programs
The EPA has started layoffs affecting hundreds of employees in environmental justice roles, aligning with new regulatory changes and organizational goals.
The reduction-in-force letters were sent to nearly 200 employees of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights who were placed on administrative leave in February.
EPA begins layoffs of environmental justice staff
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The agency's latest actions will start the termination process for some 280 workers who were involved with environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
EPA starts layoffs of environmental justice employees
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Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to initiate layoffs of approximately 280 workers from its environmental justice and diversity programs as part of a broader organizational reconfiguration. This reduction follows significant regulatory rollbacks under the current administration and aims to realign agency functions to improve operational efficiency. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noted that current environmental justice initiatives are ineffective, prompting this change. The layoffs will take effect on July 31, with additional cuts anticipated against the backdrop of President Trump’s directives to transform federal agencies.
Perspectives
The EPA's reduction in force will terminate approximately 280 workers focused on environmental justice, indicating a significant shift in agency priorities.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claims the reorganization is necessary to align the agency's workforce with its current mission and budgetary goals, including a proposed budget cut of 65%.
Critics, including representatives from the EPA workforce, argue that cutting environmental justice programs undermines the agency's commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.