“Ohio’s Environmental and Climate Progress at Risk: Concerns Arise from Regional EPA Staff Cuts”

Ohio is bracing for significant impacts from staff cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Experts point out that these reductions could hinder crucial environmental protections in the state.

Ohio is part of EPA Region 5, which covers several states, including Michigan and Wisconsin. According to Nicole Cantello, president of the union representing EPA employees, the current workforce in this region has decreased by about 20%. More cuts are anticipated by the end of July, leaving staff feeling overwhelmed and demoralized.

“We’re running on empty here,” Cantello shared. The EPA has already laid off around 100 probationary employees and has made offers for deferred resignations, leading to many employees being put on paid leave.

The loss of inspectors is particularly concerning. For instance, five water inspectors were recently placed on leave, halting essential pollution checks around the Great Lakes. “Those inspectors typically conduct 10 to 20 inspections a year each. That means up to 75 inspections won’t happen,” Cantello said.

These cuts aim to eliminate “waste, fraud, and abuse,” according to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. However, staff like Cantello argue that there’s no clear evidence of mismanagement in the agency. “It feels like we’re being scapegoated,” she remarked.

Debra Shore, the former Region 5 Administrator during the Biden administration, pointed out that the current approach is counterproductive. “We’re essentially paying people not to work. What kind of savings is that for taxpayers?” she asked.

The plans don’t stop at staff cuts. The proposed federal budget for 2026 suggests reducing the EPA’s operating budget by half. This includes cuts to programs vital for environmental justice and initiatives aimed at combatting algal blooms in freshwater sources. The budget will soon be reviewed by the Senate, making future environmental efforts even more uncertain.

Ohio was slated to receive over $24 million from the EPA in 2025 for environmental justice initiatives. However, this funding is now jeopardized because the Trump Administration has disbanded the environmental justice division. Cantello warned that this halt threatens vital projects in low-income areas. “East Palestine was flagged as needing help from the EPA. Now, those communities face a greater risk of pollution,” she explained.

Recent statistics show that environmental justice initiatives are extremely important in Ohio, with communities of color experiencing a higher burden of environmental pollution. According to a 2022 report by the Ohio Environmental Council, low-income areas often lack access to clean air and water, and they are more susceptible to industrial pollution.

In summary, the cuts to the EPA and the dismantling of the environmental justice division could severely impact Ohio’s ability to protect its environment. The implications of these changes may leave communities vulnerable and without the essential support they need to combat pollution.

Source link