Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been granted access to the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting system, raising concerns about privacy and potential cuts to environmental programs.
Kevin Bogardus reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Musk’s team has “read-only” access to the EPA Acquisition System, which details millions of dollars in agency spending. They may flag contracts that conflict with Trump administration orders.
- Watchdog groups worry the team could access sensitive data, including employees’ and vendors’ personal information, without proper clearance.
- EPA employees face uncertainty as Trump’s orders have already placed 170 staffers on leave and frozen funds tied to Biden-era climate initiatives.
Key quote:
“There’s an unrelenting campaign to intimidate EPA employees.”
— Anonymous EPA staffer
Why this matters:
The federal government holds an immense trove of sensitive data, from environmental assessments to public health research, making it a prime target for cybersecurity threats and political scrutiny. Efforts to scale back environmental programs — often framed as cost-cutting measures — could erode protections designed to safeguard air, water and climate stability. Meanwhile, reports of staff fearing retaliation at agencies like the EPA reflect a broader climate of uncertainty, with career scientists and regulators caught between political pressures and their mandate to protect public health. The result is a workplace where anxiety runs high, potentially affecting the agency’s ability to enforce critical environmental policies.
