Protecting the Science that Protects Our Home

Now is the time to act against aggressive policies that will devolve our planet and slash funding to EPA science

EPA Science is Under Attack

May 2025 update -

ORD staff were notified on 5/2 that EPA is planning to re-organize science into a new office called the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions - directly under the EPA Administrator. Other program offices in EPA (such as the Office of Water and the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention) are also adding additional positions for scientists to directly support their statutory requirements.

This move will eliminate the independence of ORD as a research arm of the EPA. EPA science will be directed by the Administrator and the Program Offices. It seems the dissolution of ORD is happening.

But we have hope - there is a court order and possible legislation (thank you Merkley and Wyden!) that may slow or stop these efforts of the current administration.

President Nixon created the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 in response to decades-long environmental decline. At the time, America's environment was toxic with waters devoid of life and air that poisoned the lungs of children. Since 1970, it has been EPA's mission to protect human health and safeguard our natural environment. And for the last 55 years, EPA has made progress towards this mission because of the drive and dedication of tens of thousands of hard working scientists, engineers, medical doctors, support staff, and others who have devoted their lives and careers to serving the public.

The Trump administration announced they plan to cut 65% of EPA staff and entirely eliminate EPA's research arm, the Office of Research and Development, or ORD. ORD is responsible for many of our country's most important environmental successes, like removing lead from gasoline, preventing acid rain, and understanding the harmful effects of forever chemicals like PFAS on our bodies.

ORD works with all 50 states, Republican and Democrat, as well as tribes, outlying territories, local industry, and local agriculture. The Corvallis and Newport EPA labs in your backyard are part of ORD and may be dissolved. This would result in a loss of 160 jobs in the community and a loss of 27 million dollars annually from the local economy. The ORD labs in Corvallis and Newport work on critical problems for the public, from studying the impact of harmful algae in our lakes to wildfire smoke in our lungs and much, much more. The Trump administration intends to start dissolving ORD in mid-April, so there is still time for you to make your voice heard. Please support EPA and federal workers who have a sworn duty to keep America great - not only for this generation but for all the generations to come.