The Trump Administration is working toward cutting 3,200 positions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Already 700 employees, including 200 scientists, have left.
Lisa Friedman, Marina Affo, and Derek Kravitz report on the massive exodus of employees from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
More than 700 people have left the Environmental Protection Agency since President Donald Trump took office, a wave of departures that puts the administration nearly a quarter of the way toward its goal of shrinking the agency to levels last seen during the Reagan administration.
The departures, some 200 of which were scientists, reflect poor morale at the agency, according to the article. The situation is likely to worsen "following revelations that Republican campaign operatives were using the Freedom of Information Act to request copies of emails from EPA officials suspected of opposing Trump and his agenda."
The reporting by Friedman, Affo, and Kravitz provide more detail and depth to a trend first revealed earlier in 2017, when the number of employees leaving the U.S. EPA was at around 400, after the Trump Administration offered buyouts to 1,200 employees. The effect of these departures could be numerous and painful for progressive causes. A similar narrative of systematic deconstruction under the Trump Administration's leadership is also taking place at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
FULL STORY: Brain Drain At the EPA
The Sorry State of Environmental Enforcement in Texas
Industry is "routinely violating" clean water laws, but both state and federal regulators seem to be looking the other way.
Federal Appeals Court Orders EPA to Ban Harmful Pesticide
The ruling puts another stain on former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's legacy as it rebukes his denial of a petition to ban a pesticide that causes neurodevelopmental damage in children. Pruitt had rejected his own scientists' recommendation.
EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Resigns
Climate change denier Scott Pruitt, head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, submitted his resignation on Thursday, to take effect July 6. On Monday, EPA Deputy Administrator Andrew R. Wheeler becomes the acting administrator.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)