US government faces questions over changes to EPA research office
美國政府面臨有關環保署研究辦公室變動的質詢
更新於: 2026年6月4日 上午04:30
The U.S. government is currently facing intense scrutiny following the Trump administration's decision to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) long-standing Office of Research and Development (ORD).
美國政府目前面臨嚴格的檢視，原因在於川普政府決定拆解環境保護署（EPA）長期運作的研發辦公室（ORD）。
Established in 1970, the ORD served as the agency’s independent scientific arm until July 2025, when it was replaced by the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions (OASES).
ORD 成立於 1970 年，一直是該署獨立的科學研究機構，直到 2025 年 7 月，該部門被應用科學與環境解決方案辦公室（OASES）所取代。
The administration claims this shift prioritizes efficiency, aiming to save $749 million, but the restructuring is part of a broader 23% reduction in agency staffing.
政府聲稱此舉是為了優先提高效率並節省 7.49 億美元，但此調整是該署整體裁員 23% 計畫的一部分。
Critics argue that moving scientific research directly under the control of political appointees eliminates the independence required to protect research from bias.
批評者認為，將科學研究置於政治任命官員的直接控制之下，會消除保護研究免受偏見所必需的獨立性。
Legal experts warn that weakening the EPA’s scientific foundation may make it harder for the government to justify environmental protections or defend existing standards in court.
法律專家警告，削弱環保署的科學基礎，可能會使政府更難證明環境保護的正當性，或在法庭上捍衛現有的標準。
