EPA to reduce workforce by 23%

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Friday that total staffing at the agency will be reduced by about 3,700 employees, or about 23%, to 12,448 from the staff size in January.

The EPA is also eliminating the Office of Research and Development and focusing more on the agency's offices that work on major issues like air and water.

The EPA plans to create a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions.

The agency said the new office would "align research and put science at the forefront of the agency’s rulemakings and technical assistance to states."