The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a significant restructuring of its workforce, commencing the termination of hundreds of employees through a “reduction in force” process. This move follows a recent announcement by the agency to substantially roll back environmental regulations, including essential provisions of the Clean Air Act. The EPA’s administrator, Lee Zeldin, has expressed a strong commitment to dismantling what he describes as the “climate-change religion.”
Earlier this year, the EPA placed certain environmental justice staff members on administrative leave and ended the employment of some probationary workers. The agency also discontinued remote work and telework for the majority of its staff. The latest restructuring efforts will impact approximately 280 employees who have been involved with environmental justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Additionally, 175 employees are being reassigned to different roles within the agency.
The EPA has communicated to employees in the affected programs about the reorganization, in compliance with the Office of Personnel Management Workforce Reshaping Handbook and federal regulations governing reduction in force procedures. The agency has also informed some statutory and mission-essential workers of their reassignment to other departments.
According to an internal memorandum obtained by NBC News, the reduction in force is scheduled to take effect on July 31, 2025. The document notes that President Trump was elected with a mandate that includes an Executive Order aimed at transforming the federal bureaucracy to better serve American families, workers, taxpayers, and the governmental system as a whole. The memorandum expresses gratitude for employees’ understanding and cooperation during this period of change.