The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that up to 89 percent of its workforce could face furloughs next week if the government shutdown persists into November. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the potential cuts during a Tuesday briefing at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., emphasizing that the agency’s ability to maintain operations is dwindling as funding runs out.
Zeldin stated that 4,000 employees have already been furloughed, but he attributed the limited impact so far to “multi-year funding” reserves. However, he warned that these measures are delaying critical projects, including the Brownfields Program, which addresses contaminated land cleanup. “As carryover funding diminishes, more of the total lapse plan will take effect,” Zeldin said, adding, “Our preference would be for the shutdown to end.”
The shutdown, now in its fourth week, has stalled EPA initiatives and delayed federal rule proposals. Senate Democrats have blocked multiple attempts to reopen the government, prolonging the crisis. Zeldin criticized the party for prioritizing a “far-left activist base” over resolving the deadlock, accusing them of creating unnecessary obstacles. He also highlighted the agency’s ongoing reorganization efforts, which aim to reduce its workforce to around 12,500 employees by year’s end.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reported that nearly $8 billion in climate-focused federal funding has been canceled due to the shutdown. Zeldin claimed the EPA had already redirected over $29 billion from what he termed a “climate slush fund” benefiting Biden-aligned groups before the shutdown began.
The situation remains unresolved as the standoff between congressional leaders and the administration continues.
