Trump administration Announced plan To carry out a large restructuring of the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday, it pointed out a significant reduction in staff, especially for the agency's scientific research unit.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin EPA says Hope to cut staff to a similar level as in the 1980s, when Ronald Reagan occupied the White House to "operate as efficiently as possible."

This may mean a possible minority of employees. The agency currently has a workforce About 15,000 people. Staffing during the Reagan administration fluctuated between about 11,000 and 14,000 employees.

The agency plans a major change in the R&D office, the EPA’s Wing, which conducts scientific analysis of risks of air pollution, chemicals and other environmental hazards. It plans to transfer some scientific staff from the ORD to existing decision-making offices that write regulations and send others to newly formed offices.

At a meeting Friday, EPA leadership told ORD employees that expect a decrease in the coming weeks.

Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, a former EPA official, said the restructuring could undermine the EPA research.

"By splitting things or eliminating expertise, we put people at greater risk, and we put this country at greater risk," Orme-Zavaleta said.

The ORD has historically provided independent scientific assessments about environmental pollutant risks, from lead to drinking water to air pollution. Its scientists provide basic research for some of the country’s most challenging environmental problems.

For example, ORD researchers are the first to identify sources of health hazards for PFAS a decade ago. Before this, from North Carolina Laboratory A direct link is established between different amounts of ozone (the main component of smoke) and health problems such as asthma. Policymakers within the agency rely on ORD Science to design rules to protect Americans from contamination.

Experts are concerned that changes in staff and budget could lead to major research cuts. Zeldin has Previously announced He intends to cut the overall EPA budget 65% In the next few years. In the budget submitted to Congress this week, the Trump administration demanded a cut of about 45%.

"The scale of such cuts does affect the entire research enterprise of the EPA," said Chris Frey, director of research at North Carolina State University.

In a column published on Friday NewsweekSelding said the restructuring efforts are aimed at “transforming the EPA into a more effective, effective institution.”

He said the proposed changes would save up to an estimated $300 million in 2026 - about 3% savings compared to the agency's 2024 budget $9 billion.

Scientists worry about "musical chair"

At a meeting on Friday, EPA leaders encouraged ORD’s 1,500 employees to apply for about 500 new positions in the restructuring.

"I think they're playing musical chairs, but to take out half of the chairs, everyone else will be cut off," said an EPA staff member who attended the meeting. NPR does not use their names because they are afraid of retribution and speak publicly.

The restructuring is just the latest change in EPA. In March, Zeldin announced ambitious plans to review and potentially backfire More than twenty environmental rules and policies.

Earlier this year Announce It will close offices focused on environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion, and freeze millions of dollars in funding. In a statement on Friday The agency said The cuts resulted in a decrease of about 280 people, while 175 people were transferred to other offices.

In the first 100 days, the Trump administration cuts scientific plans across the federal government. It has Hundreds of scientists fired In the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and cuts through National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. It also has Dismissed scientists engaged in national climate assessmentGovernment flagship report on how global warming affects the United States