The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Friday a sweeping plan to eliminate its Office of Research and Development and cut thousands of jobs, aiming to save taxpayers nearly $749 million.
This move comes after the Supreme Court recently cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s workforce downsizing initiative.
The agency said the reduction in force (RIF) will focus on the Office of Research and Development, the EPA’s scientific research division responsible for providing data and analysis to inform decision-making.
The EPA expects these cuts to result in $748.8 million in savings.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized that the changes will strengthen the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission, according to the New York Post.
“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,” Zeldin said in a statement.
He added, “This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars.”
The EPA previously announced plans to reallocate scientific expertise and research functions from the Office of