EPA Closes Research Division, Impacting Numerous Scientists

The Environmental Protection Agency recently declared the closure of the Office of Research and Development (ORD), a key scientific branch of the agency.

This decision comes shortly after the EPA announced a broader restructuring affecting other segments of the organization. The ORD has played a significant role in conducting essential research aimed at protecting public health and ecosystems from harmful pollutants.

More than 1,500 employees, comprised of scientists and researchers, operate from various locations across the United States, with major concentrations at the EPA's headquarters in D.C. and a large hub in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

The closure of the office is purported to save the agency approximately $748.8 million, according to an official news release.

The size of the EPA workforce has decreased significantly over recent years. At the start of 2025, the agency employed over 16,000 people, but following reductions, including voluntary retirements and enforced dismissals, the number has dropped to 12,488.

Lee Zeldin, the EPA Administrator, stated that these workforce reductions are part of a plan to make the agency more efficient and accountable with taxpayer resources while continuing environmental protection and health safeguarding.

Internal documents forewarned a potential cut of up to 75% of ORD personnel, particularly affecting leading scientists.

Confusion and uncertainty have beset the ORD, as many employees first learned of their potential job loss through public announcements rather than direct communication from the agency. Affected staff members are uncertain about their future roles, and some have already been reassigned.

One employee expressed concern over the limited job prospects in the U.S., contemplating the possibility of seeking opportunities overseas.

The reduction in scientific positions due to federal budget cuts has made it challenging for scientists to find similar roles domestically, fueling considerations of employment abroad.

Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, a former senior EPA official, criticized the cuts, stating that dismantling ORD risks undermining public health advancements achieved through rigorous scientific work and shifts financial burdens to communities dealing with pollution effects.

The ORD has been pivotal in research on issues such as 'forever chemicals,' waterborne illnesses, air pollution, and factors contributing to childhood asthma.

It comprises six primary research program offices and four major research facilities, each contributing significantly to environmental science.