On July 18, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a major reduction in force (RIF) as part of its comprehensive restructuring plan, projected to deliver approximately $748.8 million in savings. However, the elimination and reassignment of over 3,700 positions raises serious concerns about the agency’s capacity to maintain essential environmental research, regulatory enforcement and public health protections. These reductions may also have implications for workplace and community safety, particularly in areas where chemical risks require consistent monitoring and oversight. 

The reductions affect the Office of Research and Development (ORD), a division long responsible for much of the agency’s scientific research. Simultaneously, the agency reports it has added hundreds of scientific, technical and bioinformatic specialists to its air, water and chemical program offices, shifting from a centralized to a more distributed model of scientific capacity. Some experts caution that this transition could create gaps in oversight, especially in evaluating chemical hazards and enforcing safeguards that help prevent incidents with serious health and safety consequences. 

Key changes in the EPA restructuring include: 

• Workforce Reductions: The EPA’s workforce will decrease from 16,155 in January 2025 to 12,448 through a mix of layoffs and voluntary exit programs like Fork in the Road, DRP and VERA. 

• New Office Established: The EPA is creating the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions to embed scientific expertise more directly into rulemaking and state-level technical support.  

• Impact on Research Operations: The restructuring will significantly affect the ORD, raising questions about the loss of institutional knowledge and scientific continuity, even as staff are reallocated to program offices. 

• Changes to EJ and DEI Offices: Earlier in 2025, the EPA closed its Environmental Justice (EJ) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices, cutting 280 positions and reassigning 195 to other roles within the agency. 

While the EPA emphasizes its continued commitment to science, environmental and public health, observers note that a significant workforce reduction could affect the agency’s ability to respond to complex environmental challenges. Reduced staffing may also hinder the agency’s capacity to monitor and mitigate chemical hazards, potentially impacting both environmental and occupational safety.

For more information, please see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s official news release.