EPA Halts Grants and Warns of Over 1,000 Job Cuts | Carscoops

      An EPA representative stated that the agency is making efforts to put into action Trump's recent executive orders.

      Trump's suspension of EPA grants jeopardizes the stability of environmental programs.

      Over 1,000 EPA employees are at risk of losing their positions due to ongoing budget cuts.

      The Trump administration is following through on its pre-election commitment to reduce spending, targeting the Environmental Protection Agency as a key aspect of a broader initiative to decrease the federal workforce. In conjunction with talks of potentially dismantling the Education Department, the administration is taking measures to significantly reduce the EPA's capacity, leaving more than 1,000 employees in a state of uncertainty regarding their employment.

      Numerous EPA workers who have been employed by the agency for less than a year received a notification via email, informing them that they are in a "probationary/trial period" and could be terminated at any moment. This message was a sobering reminder that their positions are not secure, prompting fears of widespread layoffs.

      In an interview with NBC News, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, which represents about 8,500 EPA employees, revealed that roughly 1,100 workers received such an email. Nonetheless, she confirmed that up until this week, none of these probationary employees have been dismissed.

      “It was unsettling for people to get the message, as you can imagine, and we are receiving numerous inquiries from those affected. The agency certainly has the ability to terminate probationary employees, but it must be for a valid reason.”

      The exact number of jobs the Trump administration intends to eliminate at the EPA remains unclear, but many federal employees have been offered buyout options by the government. EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseli stated that the agency aims to contribute to enhancing government efficiency.

      “The EPA is actively implementing President Trump’s executive orders and related guidance,” she said. “Our objective is to maintain openness and transparency. As we strive to enhance efficiencies throughout the government, it is vital that all staff comprehend the law and how policy decisions might impact them. Ultimately, we aim to establish a more effective and efficient federal government that serves all citizens.”

      It’s not only EPA employees who are affected by the new administration. Trump has halted EPA access to grant funds allocated through Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, and the consequences of this funding freeze are already being felt.

      In conversations with Politico, many grant recipients reported that they have had to pay out of pocket for expenses, such as payroll and rent, without knowing if or when they will receive reimbursement.