Trump, Musk move to oust EPA staff in the Great Lakes region, including dozens responsible for protecting drinking water for 30 million in U.S. and Canada

The article is unfortunately paywalled so here’s a summary:

The article discusses the Trump/Vance administration’s efforts to cut staffing at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Midwest office while simultaneously pledging to complete the cleanup of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. The administration is moving to fire or force out over 20% of the Chicago-based EPA staff, including those enforcing clean air and water laws. Critics argue this undermines environmental protections while the administration claims it is refocusing the EPA on its “core mission.”

The Midwest EPA office has historically prosecuted major polluters in the Great Lakes region but saw a decline in enforcement during Trump’s first term. Under Trump, companies like U.S. Steel faced reduced penalties despite confirmed pollution violations. The article also highlights concerns about new EPA leadership under Lee Zeldin, who has frozen billions in environmental grants and previously opposed climate-related legislation. His deputies include figures tied to industry efforts to block stricter chemical regulations, particularly on PFAS and ethylene oxide.

The article positions these EPA cuts within a broader pattern of Republican efforts to weaken environmental enforcement while publicly claiming to support clean air and water. It also notes that the chemical industry is actively fighting regulations passed during the Biden administration.