In the past two weeks, the EPA has undergone significant changes under new administrator, Lee Zeldin. Approximately 1,100 probationary employees were notified about potential termination, while 168 staffers working on environmental justice issues were placed on leave. Zeldin has expressed priorities of boosting AI and automotive jobs within the agency. The removal of an online mapping tool known as EJScreen has disrupted the ability of policymakers to support environmental justice initiatives by providing demographic information. Efforts by Zeldin to streamline the agency and reduce waste have caused fear and uncertainty among staff members.
Zeldin’s focus on complying with President Trump’s executive orders and the removal of preferred pronouns from staff email signatures have contributed to a sense of apprehension within the EPA. A fear of retaliation for opposing the administration’s agenda has led to a feeling of being in limbo or purgatory among employees. Zeldin’s visits to disaster sites and laying out five priorities for the EPA, including energy independence and clean air and water, have raised concerns about potential shifts in the agency’s mission.
Critics like Jeremy Symons have expressed alarm at the direction in which the EPA may be headed under Zeldin’s leadership. Democrats in Congress, such as Sen. Ed Markey, have attempted to address concerns about the agency’s future but have faced challenges in doing so. Overall, the changes at the EPA have created a tense and uncertain atmosphere for staff members as they navigate the impact of the new administration’s priorities on their work and mission.
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