In the winter of 2024, Montana Krukowski left his job with the Michigan state government to take his dream position at the Chicago regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There, he devoted himself to helping tribal governments keep their drinking water free from harmful bacteria. He also oversaw commercial airlines based in the Midwest to ensure they provided passengers with safe drinking water. As the calendar ticked over to 2025, Krukowski knew the incoming administration of President Donald Trump would make changes to his new workplace. As a scientist, he just wanted to do his job. But the wave of executive orders from the White House and pronouncements from the EPA’s new leaders stirred up unmanageable turmoil.
First, the administration froze routine travel and spending across many agencies. Krukowski’s coworkers had to stall trips to inspect tribal and municipal water systems. Then, in February 2025, the EPA’s new administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced a new overarching initiative at the agency: “Powering the Great American Comeback.” Alongside its work on clean air, wat... Read more
