In the last few days, significant developments have unfolded at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following the confirmation of Lee Zeldin as the 17th EPA Administrator on January 29, 2025. Zeldin has swiftly implemented several key policies that reflect a marked shift in the agency's direction.
One of the immediate actions taken by Zeldin was to order a temporary freeze on various EPA activities. This includes a halt on all environmental lawsuits, with the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division instructed to stop pending court filings and delay new complaints. Additionally, negotiations related to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) have been put on hold. This freeze is intended to allow the new administration to review and potentially alter the agency’s stance on these issues[1].
Alongside the legal freeze, Zeldin has also imposed a halt on external communications from EPA staff. This directive prohibits press releases, blog updates, and social media posts, except for necessary communications with state and federal agencies, imports, and inspections. This move is part of a broader effort to control the agency's public outreach and messaging[1].
The EPA has also announced delays for several environmental rules finalized by the previous administration. These include rules related to air pollution and the regulation of trichloroethylene (TCE), indicating a potential rollback of stringent environmental regulations[1].
In terms of staffing, the EPA is undergoing significant changes. Following a presidential order, EPA employees will be required to return to full-time office work by February 24, ending telework and remote work arrangements unless justified by a disability, medical condition, or other significant reasons. Moreover, the agency is expected to cut over 1,000 employees who joined within the past year, particularly those working on climate change, air pollution, and environmental regulation programs. Senior civil service managers in the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resource Division have been reassigned to focus on immigration rather than environmental issues[1].
These changes are part of a broader restructuring that has also affected federal employees working on environmental justice issues. Recently, federal employees from the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights were placed on administrative leave, and their programs were shut down. This move has been criticized for sidelining both science and the nation’s most overburdened communities, who are disproportionately affected by pollution[5].
The recent actions by the new EPA administration have sparked concerns among environmental groups and advocates, who see these moves as a significant departure from the previous administration's focus on climate change, environmental justice, and scientific integrity. The Biden-Harris Administration had made significant strides in these areas, including advancing environmental justice, protecting public health, and restoring scientific integrity within the EPA[2].
These developments highlight a profound shift in the EPA's priorities and approach, marking a new era under Administrator Lee Zeldin's leadership. As these changes unfold, they are likely to have far-reaching implications for environmental policy and enforcement in the United States.
