EPA employees are poised to be sent home — or worse, laid off — while the agency drains its leftover funds to stay open during the federal government shutdown.
The mood is dour as staffers report to work while many of their federal colleagues have been on furlough since government spending ran out last week. Rumors are rife at the agency as workers have been told funds are available but not where that money is coming from and how long it will last.
EPA employees — granted anonymity because they fear retaliation — told POLITICO’s E&E News they expect the agency too will be shut down this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday. Nevertheless, not knowing when doors will close for certain has riled EPA’s workforce, which has already been rocked by job losses and budget cuts under the Trump administration.
“Staff are in limbo,” an employee said. “People are reluctant to travel, start larger projects, or even plan beyond a day or two because a shutdown could hit at any time.”
