POLITICO Energy Inside Trump’s major overhaul of EPA
4 snips
May 6, 2025 In a riveting discussion, Annie Snider, a water issues expert for POLITICO Pro, reveals how the Trump administration aims to drastically cut EPA's operations and funding, raising concerns about environmental management. She highlights the controversial closure of the EPA's Office of Research and Development, signaling a troubling shift away from climate initiatives. Snider also discusses the backlash from nearly 20 Democratic attorneys general challenging Trump's ban on federal wind energy approvals, emphasizing the tug-of-war over energy policies.
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EPA Research Office Closure
- EPA's Office of Research and Development is being closed and its work distributed to program offices and a new research unit in the administrator's office.
- This change may fragment scientific oversight and reduce independent research capacity at EPA.
EPA Budget Cuts Hit States Hard
- The Trump administration proposed a 55% cut to EPA's budget, threatening core state grants and water infrastructure funding.
- These cuts drew bipartisan opposition from state regulators including traditionally conservative states like Mississippi and South Carolina.
Chemical Approvals Prioritized Over Research
- EPA aims to prioritize speeding up new chemical approvals by reallocating staff but may reduce independent chemical risk assessments.
- The reshuffling raises concerns about scientific rigor and oversight on toxic substances like PFAS and emergency response efforts.