EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced a significant restructuring of the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce staffing to levels similar to those during the Reagan administration. The reorganization aims to save taxpayers approximately $300 million annually by streamlining operations and focusing on scientific research. The overhaul includes the creation of new offices, such as the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions, to prioritize research and regulatory development based on scientific expertise. This initiative also addresses backlogs in chemical and pesticide reviews, aiming to improve efficiency and transparency within the agency. Additionally, Zeldin emphasizes reducing excess spending and improving operational efficiency, following the end of COVID-era remote work policies at the EPA.

Lee Zeldin, as the EPA Administrator, is spearheading a major reorganization to decrease the agency's workforce to Reagan-era levels, aiming to save approximately $300 million annually by increasing operational efficiency.

The restructuring involves the creation of new offices, such as the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions, to ensure that scientific research is prioritized and integrated into the EPA's rulemaking processes.

The agency plans to address significant backlogs in the review of new chemicals and pesticides, which have exceeded statutory deadlines, by adding over 130 experts in scientific and technical fields.

The overhaul also includes the establishment of the Office of State Air Partnerships to streamline air permitting processes at state, local, and tribal levels, enhancing collaboration and regulatory efficiency.

Zeldin underscores the importance of aligning statutory obligations and mission-essential functions, emphasizing transparency and harmony in regulatory developments across various EPA offices.

In response to excessive spending, Zeldin highlights efforts to cancel over $22 billion in grants and contracts, marking significant savings for taxpayers, and continues to scrutinize the EPA’s budget and expenditures.

Ending COVID-era remote work policies, Zeldin noted that the EPA's attendance at headquarters in 2024 reached only 37%, prompting a shift towards more in-office work to enhance productivity and oversight.