EPA to Cut Workforce by 25% as Shutdown Strains Core Operations

Overview

• The agency plans to reduce staff from roughly 16,400 to about 12,500 full-time employees by the end of 2025, aligning with the administration’s stated priorities.
• EPA says it has identified more than $29 billion in savings by canceling or scaling back grants, contracts, and other spending from the prior administration.
• Under its shutdown contingency plan, the agency continues emergency response, Superfund work, law enforcement activities, and protection of facilities and research.
• Routine functions are paused, including new grants, civil enforcement inspections, and approvals of state requests such as permits and water quality standards.
• EPA warns prolonged funding lapses could jeopardize even critical operations as widespread furloughs persist, with employees voicing concern about potential reductions-in-force while select actions like updated lead and wildfire guidance and targeted cleanups proceed.