EPA Announces Dramatic Internal Reorganization Plan

On Friday, May 2nd, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its newly reorganized structure that will come into effect later this year. In the official EPA announcement, Administrator Lee Zeldin said that this restructuring aims to make EPA more efficient in advancing the agency’s core mission while saving the American taxpayer from unnecessary spending.

The Office of Water (OW) and Office of Research and Development (ORD) within EPA, both of which state drinking water programs interact with regularly, will be greatly impacted. ORD will see a small portion of its employees moved into different EPA offices, with the majority of ORD staff likely to face termination. Critics say that the administration does not have the legal authority to eliminate ORD. Administrator Zeldin and EPA revealed less specific plans for the restructuring of the Office of Water, although in the announcement, Zeldin said, “changes to the Office of Water will better align the development of regulations, guidance, and policy with the science that underpins it.” This announcement came on the same day as the release of President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, which saw State Revolving Funds slashed by over two billion dollars. While the future for EPA and state drinking water offices is uncertain, these programs will continue to work to supply safe drinking water to secure public health.