EPA set to fire staffers from its science office

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is firing staffers who were previously part of the agency’s scientific research arm, it announced on Friday.

“Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a reduction in force (RIF) as the agency continues its comprehensive restructuring efforts,” the agency said in a press release. “The RIF will impact the Office of Research and Development.”

It’s not immediately clear exactly how many staffers were let go. 

The press release states that the agency had 16,155 employees in January and will be down to 12,448 staffers. It said that 3,201 took a buyout and an additional 280 were fired amid a push to oust employees who worked on tackling pollution in underserved and minority communities. 

That leaves 226 workers, but it’s not clear if all of those people will be let go as part of the agency’s latest move.

“This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in a written statement.

DEVELOPING...