Hours before first presidential debate, EPA head addresses past setbacks and future challenges

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan aims to reassure employees about the agency's future and rebuke past efforts to undermine climate science.

Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• EPA Administrator Michael Regan will address employees today, just a few hours before the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, about the agency's recovery since Trump sidelined climate scientists and slashed staff.
• Regan will highlight the hiring of 5,200 new employees under Biden and emphasize the need for a robust EPA amid escalating climate crises.
• New protections have been implemented to shield EPA research from political interference in anticipation of potential future challenges.

Key quote:

“The previous administration ambushed scientific integrity — undermining our agency’s most fundamental principles.”

— Michael Regan, EPA Administrator.

Why this matters:

The future relevance of the EPA is crucial for maintaining scientific integrity and addressing climate change, especially with ongoing extreme weather events and the looming threat of policy reversal under a potential second Trump term. Read more: EPA’s “scientific integrity” program lacks teeth, group alleges.