"EPA: Prospect of Axing Enforcement Shop Sparks Uproar"

"U.S. EPA's enforcement shop could soon be on the chopping block, a prospect that's spurred an outcry among greens and former agency officials.

As the Trump team prepares to follow through on its plans to scale back the size and scope of EPA, one source familiar with the administration's thinking told E&E News that the agency will likely break up the enforcement office, leaving program offices like the air and water branches to crack down on polluters.

Another source close to the transition's thinking said that EPA enforcement originally came from the agency's program offices and the idea would be for it to return to them. The source said the potential reorganization was about managing the agency and not about stopping enforcement.

But reports that EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance may soon be in the crosshairs for the new administration quickly sparked a backlash. Inside EPA first reported yesterday that the administration is considering shuttering the enforcement office."

Kevin Bogardus and Robin Bravender report for E&E Daily February 9, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"What Would Happen To Florida If The EPA Really Did Go Away?" (Tampa Bay Times)

Source: E&E Daily, 02/10/2017