U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

04/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/08/2025 10:39

Klobuchar, Smith Press EPA Not to Close Duluth Lab

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are pressing Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on reports of a reduction in staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED) Lab in Duluth, Minnesota. The Senators called for the critical lab, which helps keep our Great Lakes water clean and safe and contributes $15 million to Minnesota's economy every year, not to be closed and for career scientists not to be fired.

"We are very concerned about reports of impending staff reductions within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), potentially including the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED) Lab in Duluth, Minnesota," wrote the Senators. "Firing career scientists and shutting down a lab that leads the nation in freshwater toxicology research would have huge impacts on Minnesotans and all Americans."

"Our entire country depends on the premier water testing protocols developed at this lab," the Senators continued. "In addition to testing, the dedicated scientists in Duluth have developed effective tools to combat polluted water and protect human health. This dedication to science as a public service has directly led to cleaner, safer drinking water for our kids and grandkids, and these efforts will continue to be critical for years to come. Simply put, closing the lab or firing its staff without proper cause would endanger future generations of Americans."

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Administrator Zeldin,

We are very concerned about reports of impending staff reductions within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), potentially including the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED) Lab in Duluth, Minnesota.

Firing career scientists and shutting down a lab that leads the nation in freshwater toxicology research would have huge impacts on Minnesotans and all Americans. Recent reporting by the New York Times indicates that the Department plans to fire up to 1,155 scientists from the ORD, potentially including some or all of the over 130 in the Duluth GLTED Lab who conduct critical research on risks to our water and ways to keep it clean and safe.

The research at the GLTED Lab directly supports EPA's top stated priority of providing "clean air, land, and water for every American" and is central to the Duluth community. Locally, it contributes over $15 million to the economy and helps keep Lake Superior healthy. As one of the cleanest freshwater sources in the world, Lake Superior provides drinking water to cities from Duluth to Grand Marais, supports processing operations for our Iron Range taconite mines, and sustains tourism businesses along the North Shore. Minnesotans depend on Lake Superior's health to live, work, and enjoy recreation every day.

Because of the GLTED Lab's unique access to Lake Superior, it is well situated to address widespread water quality issues. Our entire country depends on the premier water testing protocols developed at this lab. In addition to testing, the dedicated scientists in Duluth have developed effective tools to combat polluted water and protect human health. This dedication to science as a public service has directly led to cleaner, safer drinking water for our kids and grandkids, and these efforts will continue to be critical for years to come. Simply put, closing the lab or firing its staff without proper cause would endanger future generations of Americans.

As such, we request you provide written answers to the following questions by April 11, 2025:

  1. Will staff in Minnesota's Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division Lab be included in the EPA's reduction in force plans? If so:
    1. How many Minnesota GLTED Lab staff will be fired?
    2. Please share a list of all Minnesota GLTED Lab staff who will be fired.
    3. Please provide a breakdown of GLTED Lab staff who will be fired and i.) were recently promoted; ii.) are veterans; iii.) were probationary employees who were previously employed; iv.) by the Federal government immediately prior to their most recent role; v.) were probationary employees who were not previously employed by the Federal government
  3. Is EPA assessing the public health and environmental impacts of these firings? Please share any assessments EPA has conducted or describe the methods in which EPA is conducting this assessment.
  4. How will layoffs in EPA's Office of Research and Development impact long-term water quality, including its public health and ecological impacts? Please be specific.
  5. What is EPA's plan to maintain clean air and water into the future should fewer scientists be dedicated to the issue? Please be specific.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.

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