Christine Ho, christine.ho@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - Today, Lee Zeldin announced the Environmental Protection Agency is eliminating its Office of Research and Development. The office played a critical role in improving air quality, reducing life-threatening chemicals in the air and water, and protecting Americans from illnesses and preventable deaths.
Under the Trump administration, the EPA’s workforce has shrunk by nearly a quarter.
In response, Sierra Club Climate Policy Director Patrick Drupp issued the following statement:
“Without the research produced by the Office of Research and Development and with the inexperienced Lee Zeldin at its helm, the EPA is being reduced to a puppet agency that destroys the environment and threatens our public health at the will of Donald Trump.
“It’s completely heartless that Lee Zeldin would gut the department whose work has saved countless lives and prevented Americans across the country from illnesses linked to air and water pollution. This is just another step to further this administration’s agenda to coddle the fossil fuel industry at the expense of our lives.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.