The Trump administration stops the scientific research arm of the EPA: NPR

The environmental protection agency plans to close the agency’s scientific research branch which provides expertise to environmental policies and regulations, within the framework of continuous reduction by the Trump Administration of the Federal Government.

The agency closes the Research and development officewhich analyzes the dangers posed by a variety of dangers, in particular toxic chemicals, climate change, smog, forest fires, inner air contaminants, water pollution, destruction of watersheds and drinking water pollutants. The office also manages grant programs that finance universities and private companies.

“Under the direction of President Trump, the EPA examined our operations closely to ensure that the agency is better equipped than ever to deliver our main mission to protect human health and the environment while fueling the American return,” said EPA administrator Lee Zeldin statement announcing the plan on Friday. “This reduction in force will guarantee that we can better fulfill this mission while being guards responsible for your hard -won taxes.”

The reduction, which is part of a plan aimed at reducing 23% of EPA staff, will save $ 748.8 million, according to the agency. He said that EPA would add laboratory functions and hundreds of scientific, technical, bioinformatics and information technology at EPA offices at the same time “EPA in addition to the thousands of scientists and engineers employed by EPA in these program offices.”

In addition, the agency goes ahead with a plan to create a new “applied science office and environmental solutions”, explains the EPA. This new office “will allow EPA to prioritize research and science more than ever and will put it at the forefront of regions and technical aid to states”, according to the agency.

Democratic representative Zoe Lofgren from California, member of the classification of the Committee of Sciences, Space and Technology of the Chamber, condemned the cuts.

“The administrator Zeldin has finally confirmed what he has denied for months and months-the destruction of the Research and Development Office,” she said in a statement. “The Trump administration draws scientists who work hard while employing people named politicians whose work consists in constantly lying to the congress and the American people. The location of the Ord will have generational impacts on the health and security of the Americans. It is a parody.”

Kyla Bennett, director of scientific policy for non -profit public employees for environmental responsibility (PEER), declared to eliminate the Ord “will not only paralyze EPA’s ability to do its own research, but also to apply the search for other scientists. This (reduction of strength), as well as the reduction of travel and training budgets, will leave the EPA blind and unable to use the best available sciences.

THE American Chemistry CouncilWho represents the manufacturers of chemicals, said that the organization “supports the EPA evaluating its resources to ensure that the dollars of American taxpayers are used effectively and effectively to meet the legal requirements of the agency. If necessary, this includes the change of resources of certain offices.”

In January, the agency had 16,155 employees, but reduced this number to 12,448, according to EPA. The agency also eliminated environmental justice and the diversity of EPA, the weapons of equity and inclusion among other cuts.