EPA Programs Face Uncertain Fate With Bid To Cut Staffing To 1991 Levels

摘要

EPA's fiscal year 2014 budget proposal includes a plan to cut staffing from 17,055 full-time equivalents (FTEs) down to 16,870 - the lowest level since FY91 - which is creating uncertainty over how fewer staff might affect key programs, with EPA already saying the FY14 plan may leave up to 45 Superfund site cleanups without funding. It is unclear which programs within EPA would lose FTEs, making it difficult to judge how the loss of staff would affect the agency's ability to fulfill its goal of protecting the environment, says an EPA union official.