The Trump administration intends to thousands scientists and researchers from the US federal government, involving significant reductions to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as legislators warned Tuesday.
The dismissals would arise from the EPA, an agency handling pollution, clean water and climate change issues, dissolving its scientific research division, which currently employs more than 1,500 staff.
Documents examined by Democratic members of the US House Committee on Science, Space and Technology indicated that most employees “will not be retained”, whilst remaining roles would be redistributed within other agency departments, as reported by AFP.
These proposed redundancies, though not yet confirmed, would advance President Donald Trump’s objective of reducing government expenditure by decreasing federal employment and diminishing environmental and public health regulations.
Trump stated in February that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, his chosen agency leader, intends to reduce approximately 65 per cent of the agency’s 17,000 employees.
Regarding the proposed reductions, EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou stated the agency “is taking exciting steps as we enter the next phase of organizational improvements.” “We are committed to enhancing our ability to deliver clean air, water, and land for all Americans,” Vaseliou added. “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.”
The intention to eliminate the EPA’s research office triggered protests from Democratic legislators. “Every decision EPA makes must be in furtherance of protecting human health and the environment, and that just can’t happen if you gut EPA science,” stated Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California, the senior Democrat on the House science committee.
“Last time around, Trump and his cronies politicized and distorted science…now, this is their attempt to kill it for good” Lofgren stated, noting that the “EPA cannot meet its legal obligation to use the best available science” without the researchers.
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a non-profit advocacy organisation, highlighted the significance of the affected staff in the EPA’s core mission. “The scientists and experts in this office conduct and review the best available science to set limits on pollution and regulate hazardous chemicals to keep the public safe,” stated Chitra Kumar, UCS managing director of climate and energy. “The administration knows, and history shows, that industry will not regulate itself.”