The Big Story 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering the elimination of its science arm, according to documents reviewed by the Democratic staff of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

© Greg Nash

A plan reviewed by the committee staffers calls for the elimination of the Office of Research and Development as an EPA National Program Office. It called for the elimination of 50 percent to 75 percent of the office’s 1,540 staffers.

This office is the agency’s science branch and provides the underlying research that guides the EPA’s work to protect the public from pollution.  

According to The New York Times, which first reported on the plan, it was presented to the White House on Friday for review.

Meanwhile, the EPA said that nothing is final.

“While no decisions have been made yet, we are actively listening to employees at all levels to gather ideas on how to better fulfill agency statutory obligations, increase efficiency, and ensure the EPA is as up-to-date and effective as ever,” EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou said in an emailed statement.

Read more at TheHill.com

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