The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday announced that it is eliminating its research and development arm and cutting agency staff by thousands of workers, according to the Associated Press.
The EPA’s Office of Research and Development has a long history of providing the scientific underpinnings for the agency’s mission to safeguard the environment and human health. In May, the EPA had said it would shift its scientific expertise and research efforts to program offices focusing on major issues like air and water.
The EPA said Friday that it will create a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions that will strengthen its focus on research and science. Officials said the changes will save the agency almost $750 million.
The agency will also reduce its total staffing by 3,700 — or almost 23% — to 12,448.
