Workforce
EPA becomes the second federal agency to cancel its union contracts
In an email Friday, an official claimed the continued recognition of unions at EPA would constitute “irreparable harm to national security” at the agency responsible for fighting pollution.
Management
Trump is outpacing his first term in deleting environmental information
The restriction of language and removal of information makes it harder to address climate issues, say the authors of a new report on environmental information under Trump 2.0.
Management
Why the federal government is making climate data disappear
Under Trump, climate denial has given way to something even more dangerous: climate erasure.
Workforce
Union calls for reinstatement of EPA workers suspended over letter
More than 130 EPA workers were put on administrative leave over their signature of a letter that criticized Administrator Lee Zeldin’s direction for the agency.
News
How shrinking the EPA could make wildfire smoke even more dangerous
Proposed jobs and grants cuts by the Trump administration could have detrimental impacts in air quality monitoring at the federal, state and local government levels, stakeholders say.
Management
EPA begins eliminating offices as DOGE tightens grip on nearly all agency spending
RIFs are expected for employees in impacted areas, while DOGE is now requiring special sign off for any large EPA expenditure.
Workforce
EPA employees are ‘freaking out’ over Trump’s return
Trump targeted EPA for cuts and deregulation in his first term. Employees are gearing up for a redux.
Management
25 states file an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to halt EPA’s carbon rule
The rule could end coal-fired power plants in America, attorneys general argue.
Management
Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses
A new White House rule would require employers to monitor workers’ heat exposure, provide cool-down areas and take other steps for personnel in 35 million heat-related jobs.
Oversight
Supreme Court blocks an EPA plan to curb ozone air pollution
Environmental advocates worry that future challenges to federal policies could similarly “short-circuit the normal process of judicial review” by appealing directly to the Supreme Court.
Workforce
EPA union ratifies contract to protect employees’ scientific integrity
The deal also locks in a maximum of four days per week of telework, though labor leaders said that the agency will likely want to renegotiate the benefit after two years.
Management
Biden’s environmental justice scorecard offers more questions than answers
The White House's own environmental justice progress report gives little insight into the green benefits delivered to disadvantaged communities.
Workforce
Want to work for the EPA? The agency is preparing for a substantial hiring push in 2024
The agency is leaning on a twin set of climate-related bills to restore its workforce.
Management
Seven agencies join forces in hopes of quickly implementing Biden's Climate Corps initiative
Many details of the program still must be sorted, though the Biden administration is promising 20,000 participants will be enrolled by the summer and receive a suite of benefits.
Oversight
Alaska and 9 other states threaten to sue EPA over wood-burning stove standards
The agency's 2015 standards are inadequately administered and allow substandard devices to be certified, thus creating more pollution and deceiving consumers, court filing argues.
Management
Resource constraints led to EPA’s failure to address critical vulnerabilities in air and radiation data
The Environmental Protection Agency cited a lack of resources and the sheer volume of critical vulnerabilities as the reasons for its inability to patch its systems under federally required timeframes.
Management
The U.S. banned farmers from using a brain-harming pesticide on food. Why has it slowed a global ban?
When officials from around the world gathered in Rome last fall to consider whether to move forward with a proposed global ban on chlorpyrifos, the pesticide had a surprising defender: a senior official from the EPA.
Workforce
'Stay Vigilant:' Agencies Issue Warnings, Take New Steps to Combat Wave of Threats Against Feds
The Biden administration is looking to protect feds as anti-government rhetoric heats up.
Management
How the Supreme Court’s West Virginia v. EPA Decision Will Upset the Administrative World
The ruling will likely sow confusion and gridlock, and shift the balance of power in an unintended way.
Management