California Is 'Recruiting' U.S. EPA Employees

Under the Trump Administration, federal employees dedicated to causes like climate change mitigation face uncertain prospects. They could turn to accommodating state governments.

1 minute read

March 28, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Scott Pruitt

New EPA chief Scott Pruitt has environmentalists on edge. | Gage Skidmore / Flickr

There's a new boss in the White House, and it goes without saying that many federal employees are unhappy with plans to de-prioritize departments like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There's at least one place many of them can go when the going gets tough: California. 

Recently, the president of California's Public Utilities Commission stood outside EPA headquarters to "recruit" new employees. According to Elizabeth Shogren, "Picker explained that he has 250 job openings and more on the way. California's Air Resources Board and Energy Commission also have opportunities for federal employees frustrated with the direction the Trump administration is headed." Picker also stood outside the Energy Department's headquarters. 

Shogren writes, "Picker's recruitment drive is more than a publicity stunt: His agency is short-staffed already, and he's steadily losing employees to retirement." While there hasn't been a mass exodus (yet) from the EPA, the rhetoric of the president and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt isn't promising for federal workers dedicated to fighting climate change. 

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 in High Country News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.