Federal workers at the EPA are a little upset because, for the third consecutive week, they are experiencing air conditioning issues at their headquarters in DC.
So, before we go any further, who remembers the days of Obama lecturing us to turn down the AC and deal with it? Anyone?
In one photo circulated among employees, a desk monitor showed 84 degrees with 61% humidity inside the office.
And it doesn’t end with the heat. Elevators are malfunctioning, and multiple employees have been stuck between floors — some even reporting elevators dropping suddenly. The General Services Administration, which manages the buildings, says elevator parts were ordered four months ago, but won’t arrive for another 18 months.
In a twist, one group of EPA workers was relocated to a basement next to a live firing range, where federal law enforcement trains. Longtime EPA employees — many of whom are experts in hazardous materials — are raising red flags about potential airborne lead exposure (clearly none of them were veterans in combat arms).
As frustration builds, some employees are wondering whether the chaos is intentional. According to multiple anonymous sources, career staffers have questioned whether these conditions are meant to push them out — part of a broader push to downsize the federal workforce.
The White House isn’t denying the problems — but they’re pointing fingers at the Biden-era EPA for neglecting basic maintenance. Taylor Rogers, a White House assistant press secretary, told CBS News:
“Joe Biden’s EPA wasted $4 million on a one-room museum instead of required maintenance for the building because employees weren’t actually required to show up to work. The Trump EPA is working diligently on improvements to their building which will complete long-overdue maintenance to the carpet, elevators, air conditioning, and more for employees who have returned to work.”
Meanwhile, 140 EPA employees were placed on administrative leave last week after signing a letter criticizing current policies under Administrator Lee Zeldin. Hundreds more have already agreed to leave as part of the voluntary “Fork in the Road” resignation program.
Emails to staff confirmed the agency is dealing with equipment breakdowns, and that efforts are being made to reduce energy consumption during peak hours — which some employees took as a request to just sweat it out.
One internal email was bluntly titled “Warmer than Usual WJC Building Temperature,” referencing the William Jefferson Clinton complex. Another warned that on hot days, the A/C gets turned down over the weekend, so Mondays are even worse.
The same agency that advises Americans to retrofit their homes and reduce emissions is struggling to implement its own recommendations.
