[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6230726,"mediaKeyId","3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611","parentId",3442008,"title","EPA Administrator Says Agency Is Shrinking New-chemicals and Pesticide Backlogs Through Reorganization and Hiring","audioSeconds",69,"startMs",2274000,"endMs",2343000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611&start=2274&end=2343","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611/thumbnail_2274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230726/EPA-Administrator-Says-Agency-Is-Shrinking-New-chemicals-and-Pesticide-Backlogs-Through-Reorganization-and-Hiring","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230726-81939ac6ca27b5675c2d340c490a3604/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560990&Signature=NOCxX2dSWrO6kCsSCHZe37Ck~YGGS0loFKgyAz0lzIOYWHSGI-iK2-w2ChCtX3ia8qkHkBcUNwFb7WVJvSMNQ0yeXzAyPN2~qCXZ~Sqx1lRq2Ml2iN5ti5wvVw63qceK~JKxlLEj0LN~QEWE~W3Q0AES~U65L1s8QU3RVjAuuD6i2o9Fpn4OXu8XoR9H0VL6ZSJcl310RSfNzw~9x2oEeY1AenKgK02Inz7JvsvxsvBTv3WeApKKrGinaBjOdtbDXvxz7IaCZUlzugd94JwpNyfaoOYa01iZgoXLAFGmZXvyVBcUN41GFujAsd1MKIcq6LwBZFo5NX-mZ5BiWYNduA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Senators asked Administrator Lee Zeldin about reforms to accelerate EPA reviews of new chemicals and pesticides that, they said, had languished for years.

Zeldin said he inherited “backlogs” across new-chemicals, pesticide reviews, and state implementation plans, and described two remedies: hiring additional scientists and upgrading outdated technology. “The feedback that I got from the career staff in the office of chemicals is that they would be able to reduce the backlog, if they had 2 things. 1, they were able to bring more scientists into their office ... And secondly, to bring their technology up to date because it was very outdated,” he said.

Why it matters: Delays in chemical and pesticide reviews can slow the introduction of technologies that industry and some lawmakers say are safer or more efficient, and have implications for agriculture, manufacturing and supply chains.

Zeldin said the agency’s internal reorganization will add scientists to program offices and create an office of applied science and environmental solutions. He told the committee the pesticide review backlog had been reduced by over 2,300 cases and that the agency expects to address the new-chemicals backlog as well. He also noted recent congressional funding targeted to speed these reviews.

Senators asked for continued transparency on review timelines and for assurances that reviews would remain science-based. Zeldin responded that the agency intends to follow statutory obligations and apply risk- and science-based analysis to pesticide and chemical decisions.

Committee members requested follow-up details on staffing, technology upgrades, and metrics to measure backlog reductions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget","oneSentenceSummary","Administrator Zeldin told senators his office has moved scientists and modernized technology to address large backlogs in new-chemical and pesticide reviews, and said the agency reduced a pesticide review backlog by more than 2,300 cases so far.","taxTitle","Environment and Public Works: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1992,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6230730,"EPA Keeps PFOA/PFOS MCLs, Announces PFAS Strategy; Senators Seek Timelines and Cost Clarity",131,6725000,6856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611&start=6725&end=6856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611/thumbnail_6725000.jpg","/articles/6230730/EPA-Keeps-PFOAPFOS-MCLs-Announces-PFAS-Strategy-Senators-Seek-Timelines-and-Cost-Clarity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230730-e5ad5d18c7c777e2f898a905247e34b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560990&Signature=Dey8RrnpQnivPvxE5mNUGA~IeVJpmUwOS5Qbxd3hYfLZj0ItL~Vw0cSu3PBRUPIsTxRGGBklzh1ei0pJN5sXDClgCbkHGOwyFsG~uE65GvUgZ1YKgOXjJUWS35ah7WfhgqMT1JK8jYYrUtPTMtStFsS8NvaV5Ij5XuEAoZYQ0MxCPsnkHpZnd2M1oZmWWSBXCAbPwon478CEqzz4PHTMH3-NI7cVVZByna9Zc0d0bJm6PE5QWYWFRD9o7glQKf8EN2ot7ZWLdkPVNtNLxyjsfNUwZnbRa1T7jCZmaJP17F~dAc~-CaS31sDtHeCVAqB0rmhut34SQEkCkPtckQ0TzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee examined EPA’s approach to PFAS regulation and remediation, including the agency’s April announcements and the status of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and forthcoming regulation.

Administrator Lee Zeldin told senators the administration would retain the 4 parts-per-trillion MCL for PFOA and PFOS and pursue several actions outlined in the agency’s April announcement, including developing effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs) for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers and evaluating additional ELGs to reduce PFAS discharges. “We are retaining the 4 parts per trillion MCL on PFOA and PFOS,” he said.

Why it matters: PFAS contamination is a major, nationwide drinking-water and environmental concern. The committee sought clarity about regulatory timelines and ways to reduce compliance costs for water systems.

Senators from affected states raised the challenge of compliance costs and the need for treatment innovation. Zeldin said EPA has fielded outreach from companies developing technologies that could lower treatment costs and that the agency expects innovation to reduce the expense of meeting MCLs over time.

He also said the agency corrected a procedural issue for several additional PFAS chemicals where the prior process combined a preliminary regulatory determination with a proposed rule, which he said created a litigation vulnerability. Zeldin emphasized that re-running steps required by the Safe Drinking Water Act does not mean final standards will be weaker: “At the end of the process, you might end up with a lower MCL,” he said, adding that the process could result in stronger or different conclusions depending on the record.

Senators asked how EPA would help utilities meet compliance deadlines and whether passive receivers or costs would shift to consumers. Zeldin said the agency shares concerns about making consumers pay for remediation of contamination they did not cause and pledged to work with states and utilities on compliance pathways and technology deployment.

Committee members also requested timelines for rulemakings, further details on ELGs, and follow-up on implementation support for small and rural water systems.

","Administrator Zeldin described a multi-part PFAS strategy that retains the 4 parts-per-trillion MCL for PFOA and PFOS while advancing effluent limitation guidelines and other steps; senators pressed the agency for timelines, cost implications for water systems, and how innovations and treatment options will affect compliance costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6230735,"Committee Probes EPA Reorganization and Plans to Move Office of Research and Environmental Justice Staff",107,3421000,3528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611&start=3421&end=3528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611/thumbnail_3421000.jpg","/articles/6230735/Committee-Probes-EPA-Reorganization-and-Plans-to-Move-Office-of-Research-and-Environmental-Justice-Staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230735-9bc7cf34bcdf7092f38b1d563f3b5ba6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560990&Signature=UI9iAZYqy7hBuDjqq8CQdcxkfVDX9lLGEyW8xfSAxrgqdp1c8Mmqg~RnE6d6RGGVWXt9ZShAhhiB32ZEWlh0GtL98fHyrdLnu71TLffhXbOh4fBBBBEl02fqwzsLpv5vPNUwEvoUHfwk6-dOin40T7t5MK6rmFTB6pFAn5vd46pe-K0ac~m9yrA2~5B1s6AvZaYHxJFUBzxaH4qLe7rS2a5LeWpGZtzvj0OuvBnu667dkXcfioIvTcj3xcjs~pVQFN~pwb2dZxigYRG4FLxT9Jk~dF0EN7MxxE1pWoBBXB48~Qo6Pu0dcOELVDTKOuP93AQ2cI6oHtdjXpOYC8xliQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators questioned Administrator Lee Zeldin about an agency reorganization that would shift the Office of Research and Development’s scientists into program offices and that has led to concern about the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.

Senator Chris Van Hollen and others described the offices as important to science-based policy and community protections. Senator Van Hollen said ORD “plays an essential role in advancing science based policy and protecting communities, from toxic exposures, including carcinogens, PFAS, lead and air pollutants.” He asked whether the decision was based on performance or an external directive.

Administrator Zeldin said the reorganization is his decision and that the agency has not announced a reduction in force related to ORD. He described creating an “office of applied science and environmental solutions,” adding scientists to the Office of Chemicals, and increasing PFAS research within the Office of Water. “We're creating a new office of applied science and environmental solutions. That's why we're adding scientists to the office of chemicals,” he said.

Why it matters: Senators warned that moving scientists out of ORD or substantially reducing ORD staff could undermine perceived independence and the objectivity of research that informs regulations, monitoring and enforcement.

Several senators requested clarity about the criteria used for reorganization and whether ORD scientists who apply for other positions would be able to continue independent research. Zeldin said career staff provided feedback used to design the reorganization and that many ORD scientists are applying for positions across program offices.

On the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, senators said at least one community air monitoring grant in Delaware was terminated and requested that Zeldin review canceled grants affecting localized monitoring efforts. Zeldin offered to meet individually with senators to review canceled grants and said he would “go through each grant” to identify issues and help determine what funds could still be executed during the fiscal year.

Committee members asked for transparency on whether any layoffs would occur, how independence of scientific research would be protected after reorganization, and specific follow-up on grants tied to community monitoring.

","Several senators raised concerns about the EPA's announced reorganization, including plans to redistribute scientists from the Office of Research and Development (ORD) into program offices and the termination or restructuring of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6230739,"Senators Warn EPA Budget Cuts Could Shrink State Revolving Funds and Water Programs",915,1217000,2132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611&start=1217&end=2132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611/thumbnail_1217000.jpg","/articles/6230739/Senators-Warn-EPA-Budget-Cuts-Could-Shrink-State-Revolving-Funds-and-Water-Programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230739-524919790cad3cc52b579eb8aa717d60/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560990&Signature=a8vL8dfl9O4jUwdLL32aZrtExkX55yYqLzO-BgRcGkDmzeI3PIr0bj~CXBf7VrcMLeIB7-8JcJMPE7gGxWw6shLBA0Dx41ju5ztYVCEXgnS1h-Z-QouYFzsyu1TKTbiRmf33tajM-vjmVK4WC74VcoKAowNcXvo5NZx4cDwmeMFtr9xOKvXZwW~iO2bITu8RkCV2ITQ0e7qzmWzdrkBxglgkL8qTzde3tZVuZiWUPVqjoo3lH-ptg8OSHsCqFI6G0QubiG8~yXDFgTC2spNgKPQ0Tttr8x7NjVTBAnHQiqvzdrTDllWO7St4yr7JnBk6S-4NRLqdlf460FIY1FEtJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators pressed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on the Trump administration’s proposed FY2026 budget and its potential effects on clean water and drinking water financing, especially the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs).

Senator Shelley Moore Capito, chairing the hearing, and other senators said the proposed budget would substantially reduce funding for programs many communities rely on for pipes, treatment plants and drinking water upgrades. Capito cited a hypothetical West Virginia example where SRF assistance could fall from $36 million to $4 million under the proposal. She said state revolving funds “have helped many West Virginians … get connected with the water access and resources that they need.”

Why it matters: State revolving funds are major federal financing tools for local water infrastructure. Senators warned that deep cuts could disrupt projects funded through the 2021 bipartisan package that, they said, delivered more than $50 billion for water systems.

Administrator Zeldin told senators he would work with Congress and the water sector: “Yes. Chairman, absolutely. Look forward to working with you, and other members of this committee on that.” He also urged Congress to consider how prior congressionally directed grants drew on SRF resources and said the agency wants to discuss strengthening the revolving nature of the funds.

Members from both parties asked for commitments that priority programs would be preserved during appropriations and reauthorization work. Senators pointed out that the proposed cuts would affect bipartisan programs that provide safe drinking water and clean-up work, including brownfields and other water-related grants. Zeldin noted some proposed increases in targeted areas—he cited an extra $9 million for drinking water disaster response and a $27 million increase for tribal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure—but senators pressed him on the larger proposed reductions.

The committee requested further engagement between EPA, appropriators and state water agencies to reconcile the administration’s efficiency goals with existing and ongoing infrastructure commitments.

","Members of the Senate committee questioned Administrator Zeldin about proposed FY2026 cuts that would sharply reduce funding for state revolving funds and brownfields, and asked whether EPA will work with Congress and the water sector to preserve funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6230743,"Senators Press EPA on Grant Freeze, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Court Filings",3203,2467000,5670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611&start=2467&end=5670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442008-4c99b5602817752088165b42a224f611/thumbnail_2467000.jpg","/articles/6230743/Senators-Press-EPA-on-Grant-Freeze-Greenhouse-Gas-Reduction-Fund-and-Court-Filings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230743-fc5a20f2fdc4e7e8f714cc61996f2219/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560990&Signature=kCH9QnZecwXPaYM0k5TNVuHmrzaYF16vZ17g9QHGS39Atowh9jxCzjcMnFT6VvHV6oXpSV7kathgpRKs1Qh-NsfZaH0a5JKUgXWV5nH8Fpj1AGpU5QPw1fZJ39uMx9pOPGS-QkDxy6bHAEjNBvJOMqpI7Z35~d2wheRV7ydr3Hd8TWDzwbpg1wAyyWHNEnKYwDpmStBX2lb-IPh9XRJtmPCXap1NeOb546xWWTC2V63m76NXZfiAPN4m7Uqs8xQG2dzW0xIWv32VRu6XF7PEMjs1h8nG-EaUFjvY9KPiVjPqIfc2Geb-VqgDMhe5KrW8sJATtNl68xRBB~c4H28Qgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Administrator Lee Zeldin appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to defend the EPA’s decisions to review and cancel hundreds of grants, including actions tied to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and other Inflation Reduction Act programs.

The committee’s ranking member, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, pressed Zeldin on inconsistent statements from EPA officials and Justice Department filings, saying the agency had “frozen and attempted to terminate the greenhouse gas reduction fund.” Whitehouse added that the freeze was defended in court using what he called a “sham investigation.”

Why it matters: Senators said the freeze and cancellations put billions of dollars in federal funding at risk and have immediate effects on grantees delivering services for public health and environmental projects. The dispute has also moved into federal court, where agency lawyers and career officials have filed conflicting statements about the scope and basis for the reviews.

During questioning, Whitehouse read from sworn declarations filed in litigation and said at least 781 grantees had been identified as recipients of cancellation notices in sworn testimony. He contrasted declarations that described an “individualized review” performed on a single day with EPA assertions that multiple agency officials had reviewed grants over time. “You have the EPA administrator right here offering to go through a list of evidence,” he said, arguing the different accounts could not all be true.

Zeldin responded that multiple EPA employees worked on the reviews and that he personally participated in reviewing grants: “I was the one who made the decision, and I made the decision after doing individual review. I personally reviewed every single grant that I canceled.” He also said staff worked on the reviews on multiple days, not in a single ten-hour session, and that he would provide additional details outside the hearing.

Other senators pressed on whether the Justice Department and federal prosecutors were involved in the freeze of GGRF funds and whether the agency had evidence of criminal conduct. Senator Edward Markey and others noted that when a federal judge asked EPA to provide evidence of fraud, the agency’s lawyers indicated they could not do so. Zeldin offered to provide the committee a list of the agency’s concerns and evidence for the record.

Committee members also cited specific examples referenced in public filings and media reporting: a February cancellation of a $50 million grant to the Climate Justice Alliance and statements that roughly $3 billion of the GGRF disbursements had been distributed while the remainder remained frozen. Senator Whitehouse and others asked Zeldin to reconcile sworn declarations from career staff with his oral testimony to the committee.

The exchange ended with several senators asking for documents and a timeline of what EPA leadership knew and when. The committee requested written follow-up and materials for the record.

Next steps: Senators on both sides signaled they will pursue documents and additional testimony to resolve the differing accounts in court filings and sworn declarations.

","Senators questioned EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin about the agency's suspension and cancellation of hundreds of grants, the freeze of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) transfers, and conflicting statements in court filings and sworn declarations about whether individualized, grant-by-grant reviews occurred.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EPA Administrator Says Agency Is Shrinking New-chemicals and Pesticide Backlogs Through Reorganization and Hiring

EPA Keeps PFOA/PFOS MCLs, Announces PFAS Strategy; Senators Seek Timelines and Cost Clarity

Committee Probes EPA Reorganization and Plans to Move Office of Research and Environmental Justice Staff

Senators Warn EPA Budget Cuts Could Shrink State Revolving Funds and Water Programs

Senators Press EPA on Grant Freeze, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Court Filings