The Environmental Protection Agency is making updates to its website to reflect the agency’s new direction under the Trump administration.
The process, which involves updating language to reflect the approach of new leadership, is intended to ensure that the public can use the website to understand the agency’s current efforts. The changes will comply with agency ethics and legal guidance, including the use of proper archiving procedures. For instance, a screenshot of the last administration’s website will remain available from the main page.
The EPA said in a statement that the first changes users will notice are in regards to President Trump’s Executive Order on Energy Independence.
According to the EPA, the executive order calls for a review of the Obama administration’s “Clean Power Plan.” The agency noted that language associated with the Plan is out of date and hence is being updated on the website.
The EPA also said that content related to climate and regulation is also being reviewed. The climate change section of the EPA.gov website notes that it is being updated to reflect the agency’s priorities under the new administration. However, a copy of the page under the Obama administration is still available.
“As EPA renews its commitment to human health and clean air, land, and water, our website needs to reflect the views of the leadership of the agency,” said J.P. Freire, Associate Administrator for Public Affairs. “We want to eliminate confusion by removing outdated language first and making room to discuss how we’re protecting the environment and human health by partnering with states and working within the law.”
The EPA has been targeted for budget cuts under the Trump administration’s budget proposal. Legislation was also recently introduced to eliminate the agency altogether.