EPA Does Not Intend to Relocate, Reorganize Regional Offices: Pruitt

Relocation or reorganization of any of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 10 regional offices and ongoing discussion of that prospect is “pure legend,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt told House members last week.That statement comes after months of speculation over a regional shakeup, which has drawn criticism and concern from outside groups and internally at EPA.Further, the agency does not plan to lay off any workers in the coming year, despite a Fiscal 2018 budget proposal that calls for a reduction of more than 3,000 employees, Pruitt told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. The Trump administration's budget proposal would slash EPA funding by nearly a third.“The proposed cuts to personnel in this budget will be achieved through attrition, through voluntary buyouts and through the hiring freeze that is currently in place,” Pruitt remarked, adding that agency staff is aging and nearing retirement. Around 400 to 500 buyouts could take place this fiscal year.