The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a major staff cut on Friday, citing that the agency’s reorganizational moves are projected to save taxpayers almost three-quarters of a billion dollars.
The reduction in force will impact the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and is projected to bring about $748.8 million in savings combined with other organizational shifts, according to the EPA. The agency had over 16,000 employees in January 2025 and is projected to have around 12,500 following retirements and other reductions in force, according to the EPA.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA has taken a close look at our operations to ensure the agency is better equipped than ever to deliver on our core mission of protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars.”
The EPA announced plans to reorganize in May following President Donald Trump’s executive order to cut down government bloat. In addition to the staff cuts, the reorganization will also create the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions and hire new scientists, according to the EPA.
The EPA terminated Biden-era Environmental Justice (EJ) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) arms of the agency in March. Zeldin has repeatedly stated that his agency must return to its core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
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