JOIN WITH US IN SUPPORTING THE EPA STAFF

We’re honored to be chosen by the brave heroes at the EPA to host their public Declaration of Dissent here.

Read their Declaration which directly addresses the new Administrator Lee Zeldin with their FIVE CONCERNS and invites him to “change course by re-committing to his oath to protect the health of the American people and our environment.”

To: Administrator Zeldin, 

CC: U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Members of Congress

Declaration of Dissent
EPA employees join in solidarity with employees across the federal government in opposing this administration's policies, including those that undermine the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment. Since the Agency's founding in 1970, EPA has accomplished this mission by leveraging science, funding, and expert staff in service to the American people. Today, we stand together in dissent against the current administration's focus on harmful deregulation, mischaracterization of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise.

Since January 2025, federal workers across the country have been denigrated and dismissed based on false claims of waste, fraud, and abuse. Meanwhile, Americans have witnessed the unraveling of public health and environmental protections in the pursuit of political advantage. Today, we come directly to you, Administrator Zeldin and our elected officials, with the five concerns outlined below. We expect your deliberate consideration of these concerns and look forward to working with you to restore EPA's credibility as a premier scientific institution. Communities across America are counting on you to lead EPA in carrying out its mission.

Our Shared Commitment to Protecting Human Health and the Environment
Administrator Zeldin, at your Senate confirmation hearing, you committed to leading EPA in its "simple but essential" mission. You expressed gratitude that President-elect Trump had given you the opportunity to "do everything in our power to harness the greatness of American innovation with the greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship." You acknowledged the realities of climate change, the benefits of clean energy, the economic need for environmental justice, and the importance of protecting human health through smart regulation. Like you, EPA employees are committed to these principles. We call on you to reaffirm your testimony, honor your oath to the Constitution, and renew your commitment to become the environmental steward the public entrusted you to be.

Our Five Primary Concerns
Under your leadership, Administrator Zeldin, this administration is recklessly undermining the EPA mission including in these five critical areas:

  1. Undermining public trust. EPA's non-partisan nature ensures that all Americans—regardless of political affiliation—are served by an agency guided by scientific expertise, professional integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the public good. For over five decades, EPA's strength has come from its commitment to science-based decision-making. However, under this administration, the Agency's communication platforms have been used to promote misinformation and overtly partisan rhetoric. For example, EPA press releases and the "Call it a Comeback" newsletter have referred to EPA grants as “green slush funds” and praised “clean coal” as “beautiful.” The Office of the Administrator has used official EPA channels to liken climate science to a religion, issue attacks against individual members of Congress, and criticize former presidents. These communications are partisan and scientifically unsound. The Office of the Administrator may have violated the Hatch Act by using EPA’s official website and social media to promote political initiatives such as President Trump’s tariffs and the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” This politicized messaging distracts from EPA’s core responsibility: to protect human health and the environment through objective, science-based policy.

  2. Ignoring scientific consensus to benefit polluters. This administration's actions directly contradict EPA's own scientific assessments on human health risks, most notably regarding asbestos, mercury, and greenhouse gases. Health-based regulatory standards are being repealed or reconsidered, including drinking water limits for four PFAS "forever chemicals" that cause cancer. Under your leadership, Administrator Zeldin, EPA is promoting the fossil fuel-powered auto industry while simultaneously stripping away support for cleaner electric vehicles. You are supporting new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), without addressing AI's intense consumption of environmental resources. The decisions of the current administration frequently contradict the peer-reviewed research and recommendations of Agency experts. Such contradiction undermines EPA's reputation as a trusted scientific authority. Make no mistake: your actions endanger public health and erode scientific progress--not only in America--but around the world.

  3. Reversing EPA's progress in America's most vulnerable communities. Research overwhelmingly shows that the country's most vulnerable communities, including Black communities and other communities of color, poor communities, disabled communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and historically overburdened and underserved rural and urban communities are consistently exposed to disproportionate environmental and climate burdens. EPA's environmental justice program—one that you have effectively dismantled—was addressing this disparity by funding states, cities, and communities all around the country through extensive grant programs and technical assistance. Now these same communities are the ones most at risk for losing federal funding. Since January 2025, EPA has placed the vast majority of environmental justice staff on administrative leave, canceled billions of grant dollars to communities, and removed a valuable mapping analysis tool that enabled EPA and others to work towards environmental equity. Canceling environmental justice programs is not cutting waste; it is failing to serve the American people.

  4. Dismantling the Office of Research and Development. EPA's research provides the scientific basis for its rulemaking, stakeholder needs, and other key decisions. U.S. Law (42 U.S.C. § 4363) states that the EPA Administrator shall "establish a separately identified program of continuing, long-term environmental research and development," which is currently led by the Office of Research and Development, or ORD. Your administration has proposed a reorganization that moves EPA's foundational research to the Administrator's Office and reassigns ORD's research staff to the program offices. A move that places ORD scientists in regulatory program offices will make EPA science more vulnerable to political interference. In addition, the gutting of staff and science and your proposed budget cuts for the coming year will leave ORD unable to meet the science needs of the EPA and its partners and will threaten the health of all Americans.

  5. Promoting a culture of fear, forcing staff to choose between their livelihood and well-being. OMB Director Russell Vought has stated that he wants EPA employees to be in a constant state of trauma and  unable to do their jobs: "When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains. We want their funding to be shut down so that the EPA can’t do all of the rules against our energy industry [...] We want to put them in trauma.” Administrator Zeldin, you have done your best to ensure that employees have no recourse against these assaults by nullifying bargaining agreements and refusing to negotiate. In addition, your administration has fired or forced onto administrative leave several categories of employees, including those responsible for environmental justice and those managing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. Your administration has also targeted probationary employees, including a range of students and recent graduates, whom U.S. District Judge William Alsup has called "the lifeblood of [the] government." Since January 2025, your administration has offered multiple rounds of resignation and retirement options. Of the employees who accepted your contractual agreements, few accepted without extenuating circumstances, such as immediate financial concern, fear of their position being eliminated, or concerns about changes to their retirement, among others. 

Delivering on your duty to EPA and the public
Your decisions and actions will reverberate for generations to come. EPA under your leadership will not protect communities from hazardous chemicals and unsafe drinking water, but instead will increase risks to public health and safety.

Administrator Zeldin, we urge you to honor your oath and serve the American people. Going forward, you have the opportunity to correct course. Should you choose to do so, we stand ready to support your efforts to fulfill EPA's mission.

Who We Are
This declaration was written and signed by EPA employees across Offices, Regions, and Labs in our personal capacity, on our own time, and without Agency resources. We are devoted to EPA's mission: to protect human health and the environment. 

Administrator Zeldin, we share your stated goal of wanting every child in this nation, including your own, to "inherit a world with clean air, clean water, and a thriving economy." We are civil servants who are dedicated to responsibly managing public resources to drive innovative, high-impact research to create and implement the country's environmental regulations and solve environmental challenges. We want to work together, not to power the "Great American Comeback," but to launch America into a safer, healthier, and thriving future.

We sign this declaration both as concerned citizens and dedicated civil servants. In addition to the named signers, we include anonymous signers and speak for countless others at EPA who share our concerns, but who chose not to sign their names for fear of retaliation.

TOTAL NUMBER OF SIGNERS: 388

NUMBER OF ANONYMOUS SIGNERS: 174

NAMED SIGNATORIES

  1. Claire Balani, Contract Specialist, Region 2

  2. Arnold Starnes, Mr., Region 3

  3. Tad Wysor, Mechanical Engineer, retired, OAR/OTAQ, NVFEL

  4. Janette Marsh, WI

  5. Ellen Hale, Remedial Project Manager, Superfund & Emergency Management Division, Region 10

  6. Ashley De La Rosa, Superfund, Region 5

  7. Hoshaiah Barczynski, Remedial Project Manager, SEMD, Region 1

  8. Vaughn Blethen, Ms., Retired, Region 10

  9. Nicole Cantello, Regions 5

  10. Lilly Simmons, Region 1

  11. Victoria Robinson, Environmental Protection Specialist, OEJECR, HQ

  12. Janet Sharke

  13. Steven Peterson, Project Officer, SEMD, Region 5, Central Regional

  14. Judy Bloom, (Retired)

  15. Lahne Mattas-Curry, Communication Director, Office of Research & Development, CESER

  16. Brian Kelly, VP AFGE 704, SEMD, Region 5

  17. Emily Bedell, Dr., Water Division, Region 8

  18. Kristen Rappazzo, ORD, NC

  19. Michelle D, Human Resources Specialist, OMS, Region 3

  20. Erica Sheeran, Environmental Protection Specialist, Great Lakes National Program Office, Region 5

  21. Hannah Sanders, Life Scientist, Region 3

  22. Jessica Helgesen, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, Region 9

  23. Guy Burke, EPA, Region 2

  24. Kate Tribbett, Region 8, CO

  25. Robert Janke, Retired EPA

  26. Ashley Miller, Environmental Engineer, Region 9

  27. Terry Petrosky, LSASD, Region 5, CRL

  28. Jenna O'Brien, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, SEMD, Region 9

  29. Clare Scheib-Feeley, Former Life Scientist, Current Graduate Student, Region 5

  30. Emily Byrnes, On-Scene Coordinator, Chicago, Region 5

  31. Rachel Follenweider, MSW, Chicago, Region 5

  32. Suzanne Englot

  33. Patricia Doyle, Environmental Protection Specialist, EJCEERD, Region 2

  34. Justin Chen, ECAD, Region 6

  35. Colin Kramer, Chemist, LSASD, Region 5, CRL

  36. Erika Hoffman, Retired, Water, Region 10

  37. Heriberto León, Region 5

  38. Logan Rand, Chemist, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati

  39. Nolan Hahn, Region 8

  40. Kim Churchill, MI

  41. Amelia Hertzberg, OEJECR, Headquarters

  42. Kira Wiesinger, Life Scientist, Region 9, CA

  43. Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Former Primcipal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science, Office of Research and Development

  44. Danielle Shannon, Environmental Protection Specialist, Air and Radiation Division, Region 10

  45. Tom Luben, Dr, ORD, RTP, CPHEA

  46. Cecilia O’Connor, Chicago, Region 5

  47. Carolyn Acheson, Chemical Engineer (retired), ORD

  48. Stephanie Eytcheson

  49. Elena Gartner, EPA attorney, EPA, Region 2

  50. Elizabeth Blackburn, Former Chief of Staff (retired), Office of Research and Development

  51. Lauren Boldrick, Energy Advisor, Alaska Operations Office, Region 10

  52. Harper Stanfield, Environmental Engineer, Region 2

  53. Dana Donovan

  54. Joseph Forth, Environmental Engineer, Metcalfe, Region 5

  55. Adam Howell, ECAD, Region 9

  56. Noemi Agagianian, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Justice Community Engagement and Environmental Review (EJCEER), Region 9

  57. Leland Vane, Chemical Engineer (retired), ORD

  58. elizabeth poole, Former employee, OCHP, Region 5

  59. Tom Hollenhorst, Ecologist, ORD/CCTE/GLTED, GLTED

  60. Sergio Kochergin, Environmental Protection Specialist, OEJECR, Headquarters

  61. Nichole Shumard, Region 5

  62. Tamara Newcomer Johnson, Ecologist, ORD, Headquarters, CEMM

  63. Ann McPherson, Environmental Scientist, EJCEER/ERS-1, Region 9

  64. Suse LaGory, Life scientist, Great Lakes National Program Office, Region 5

  65. Sebastian Rodriguez, Life Scientist, Region 1, LCRD, MA

  66. Francesca Branch, Office of Research and Development, HQ

  67. Wanda Calderon, Government Information Specialist, NY

  68. Michael Cox, Retired, WA

  69. Anna Laird, ORC, Region 10

  70. Kaelyn Quinlan

  71. Andre Villasenor, SCFO, Region 9

  72. Cara Walsh, Environmental Protection Specialist, Region 5

  73. Stephanie Davis, Great Lakes National Program Office, Region 5

  74. Mario Zuniga, Environmental Justice Coordinator, Environmental Justice Program, Region 9

  75. Molly Wick, Dr., Office of Research and Development, MN, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division

  76. Holly Westbrook, Chemist, Region 1, NERL

  77. Kyle Walters, IL, Region 5

  78. Michelle Simon, Dr., OH

  79. Kathleen Stewart Kim, Environmental Protection Specialist, Air and Radiation, Region 9

  80. Emely Lopez, Environmental Protection Specialist, EJCEER, Region 9

  81. Stephanie B, Scientist, OCSPP

  82. Adam Fisher, Physical Scientist, Region 2

  83. A WRIGHT, Special Advisor for Implementation, OGGRF, HQ

  84. Lori Cohen, Former EPA Superfund Manager, Environmental Cleanup, 10

  85. Allison Hiltner, Retired, Region 10

  86. Daylan Ware, Physical scientist, Water, Region 5, None

  87. Nancy Yoshikawa

  88. Leah Martino, Environmental Engineer

  89. Carlie LaLone, Research Chemist, Office of Research and Development, MN, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division

  90. Janet Parrish, Life Scientist (on administrative leave via the DRP2), NPDES Permits, Region 9

  91. Miles Batson, OECA, HQ, NEIC

  92. Sasha Vanley, San Francisco, Region 9

  93. Meaghan Pashen, Environmental Engineer, Region 5

  94. Ann Prezyna, EPA Deputy Regional Counsel (retired), EPA, Region 10

  95. P B, Science Assessor, Office of Research and Development

  96. Ashley Zanolli

  97. Montana Krukowski, Drinking Water Officer, Drinking Water, Region 5

  98. Kaushal Gupta, Freedom of Information Act Officer, Office of Regional Counsel, Region 5

  99. A F, Life Scientist

  100. MELLISA POWERS-TAYLOR, Region 5

  101. Daniel Gallo, Environmental Attorney, formerly with the Office of Regional Counsel, Region 3

  102. Jill Hoelle-Schwalbach, Quality Assurance Manager, Office of Research and Development

  103. Reiley Baker

  104. Joyce Howell, EVP AFGE Council 238, Region 3

  105. Courtney Fung, Paralegal Specialist

  106. Steven Petrucelli, Community Involvement Coordinator, Region 2

  107. David Tomten

  108. Athena Jones, Region 8, CO

  109. Alexa Burnett, Life scientist, Chicago, IL

  110. David Williams, ORD, CEMM

  111. Michael Holt, RPM, SEMD, Region 5

  112. Joel Salter, Retired Chief Scientist ocean survey, and Clean Water Act implementor, Water, Region 10, Oregon Operations Office

  113. Diana Esher, Retired Deputy Regional Administrator Region 3, Retired DRA, ARA, Air Division Director

  114. Ronza Jordan, Environmental Protection Specialists, Environmental Justice, Region 4

  115. Alexis Stabulas, Environmental Scientist, EPA, Region 2

  116. E.H W, Program Analyst, ORD, OH

  117. Kevin Dyer, Physical Scientist, Ted Weiss Federal Building, Region 2

  118. Samantha Arnette, ORD

  119. Nichole Kulikowski, Physical Scientist, ORD, HQ/DC

  120. John Pomponio

  121. Lily Black, Life Scientist, Ted Weiss, Region 2

  122. James Woolford, Former Office Director Superfund Remediation, OLEM/OSRTI, VA

  123. Melissa Garvin, Physical Scientist

  124. Ellie Hagen

  125. Lise Valentine

  126. Karen Chen, IL

  127. Dani Allen, Environmental Protection Specialist, Region 9

  128. Caroline Pierce, Physical Scientist, Water Division, Region 10

  129. Kathleen D'Agostino, Environmental Scientist, Air and Radiation, Region 5

  130. Arielle Benjamin, Environ. Engineer, NEPA Practicioner, Environmental Reviews and Strategic Programs Section, Region 2

  131. Andreas Harris, Region 5

  132. Valeria Apolinario, Region 5

  133. Luis Antonio Flores

  134. Matthew Tejada, SVO Environmental Health, OEJECR, HQ

  135. Scarlett Vandyke, ORD

  136. Hiba Ernst, Retired, ORD

  137. Izzy Castiglioni, Region 3

  138. Lane To, Environmental Engineer

  139. Lance Caldwell, Region 2

  140. Bevin Blake, ORD

  141. Brandon Brewster, Inspector/Enforcement Officer/Physical Scientist, Enforcement Compliance Assurance Division, Region 5

  142. Nicola Horscroft, Region 3

  143. S Morales, Region 9

  144. Jayna Kozlowski, Physical Scientist, Chicago, Region 5

  145. Josephine Christon, Physical Scientist, Region 5

  146. Michael Pasqua, Life Scientist, Water Division, Region 5

  147. Cathy Kelty, OH

  148. Kim Rasmussen, Project Officer, SEMD, 9

  149. Julia Krist, Environmental Engineer, Air and Radiation Division, Region 2

  150. Aidan Conway, Remedial Project Manager, Superfund, Region 2

  151. John Melcher, Region 1

  152. Christopher Tougeron, Life Scientist, SEMD - CEPPS, Region 5

  153. Jamie Stoik

  154. Leigh Moorhead, PhD, Dr., ORD

  155. Alex, OTAQ Ann Arbor Lab

  156. Stacey Lobatos, OEJECR, HQ

  157. A N, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Office of the Administrator

  158. Alexander Cole, Ph.D., Office of Research and Development, WI, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division

  159. Researcher, PhD (they/them), Environmental Engineer, ORD

  160. Katharine Maradiaga

  161. Andrew Kreider, Environmental Protection Specialist, Region 3

  162. Chris Frey, former Assistant Administrator and Science Advisor (2022-2024), Office of Research and Development

  163. Ted Yackulic, Assistant Regional Counsel, Office of Regional Counsel, Region 10

  164. Wesley Ingwersen, Research Environmental Engineer, PhD, ORD, CESER

  165. Charlena Bowling, Public Affairs Specialist, ORD

  166. Evelyn Hoffman, Student Intern, WD, Region 8

  167. Sona Chaudhary, Underground Injection Control, Region 6

  168. Emilie Hoy, IT Specialist, Region 10

  169. Juliana Gomez

  170. Angela Cappetti, Philadelphia, Region 3

  171. Deborah Cohen, GIS Analyst, Region 1

  172. Suzanne Trevena, Water, 3

  173. Emma Gilligan, Physical Scientist, Office of Land and Emergency Management

  174. Apostolos Toompas, Chemist, LSASD, Region 1, New England Regional Lab

  175. Elizabeth Carper, Physical Scientist, EPA

  176. Daniel LaFrance, Remedial Project Manager, Boston, MA

  177. Eugene Chen, Environmental Engineer, Region 9

  178. Cynthia Sonich-Mullin, Director (retired), National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, Ohio

  179. Cindy Beeler, Former Energy Advisor, Office of the Regional Administrator, Region 8

  180. Keith Kelty, OH

  181. Alan Bacock, EPS, Tribal Section, Region 9

  182. Graham Leggat, Physical Scientist, ARD, Region 9

  183. Jen Brave, Region 5

  184. Sidler Davis, Environmental Protection Specialist, Region 5

  185. John Darling, Senior Research Biologist, ORD

  186. Monica Morales, Retired EPA Employee, Region 8

  187. Drew Curtis, Community Engagement Coordinator, EJCEERD, NJ, Region 2

  188. Loreen Targos, Physical Scientist, GLNPO, Region 5

  189. Undine Kipka, EPA Region 1

  190. Sandra Spence, Retired

  191. Johanna Miller, Retired Water Division Branch Chief, Water Divison, Region 8

  192. Linc Oliver-O'Neil, Environmental Protection Specialist, Boston, Region 1

  193. Peter Murchie, Retired, Region 10

  194. Olivia Brinks

  195. David Hartnett, Physical Scientist, Region 2

  196. Ruby Stanmyer, Life Scientist, Water Division, Region 3

  197. Ameesha Mehta

  198. Katie Moffitt, Special Advisor for Implementation, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, HQ

  199. Jamie Gobreski, Environmental Protection Specialist, Climate Change Division, OAR

  200. Kathleen Jensen, Biologist, ORD

  201. Ryan Van Manen, Environmental Engineer, EPA, Region 2

  202. Berkley H, OAR

  203. Janet Haff, Usepa, Region 5

  204. Dana Michels, Region 9

  205. Casey Seiden, Physical Scientist, Water Division, Region 5

  206. Keith Kelty, Chemist (retired), OH

  207. Liz Pelloso, Life Scientist, Region 5

  208. Gail Fallon, Retired EPA employee, Air and Radiation Division, Region 8

  209. Declan Farr, Alaska Operations Office, Region 10

  210. Christine Bergamini, Air and Radiation Division, Region 9

  211. Sarah Kadlec, Biologist, ORD

  212. Christina Thomas

  213. Carolyn d'Almeida, Retired EPA Superfund RPM with 41 years of service, Superfund, Region 9