President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is planning to terminate lease contracts for nearly two dozen California offices related to science, agriculture, and the environment. According to a federal database, the closures will affect facilities occupied by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Park Service, Forest Service, and Geological Survey.
The Trump administration claims these lease terminations will result in significant cost savings, with nearly 800 lease locations across the country slated for closure, totaling more than 10 million square feet and approximately $500 million in savings. In California, 22 of the 65 locations targeted are home to agencies managing the state’s environment. Among these is a NOAA office in Eureka, which plays a crucial role in marine stewardship.
Democratic lawmakers, including California’s Reps. Jared Huffman and Zoe Lofgren, expressed concerns that closing these facilities will compromise NOAA’s ability to provide essential services and harm local communities and economies. The closures follow recent massive layoffs at NOAA and cuts to scientific research funding across federal agencies.
The EPA is also eliminating offices related to diversity and environmental justice, likely leading to the layoffs of nearly 200 employees nationwide. The move aligns with President Trump’s executive order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the government. Critics argue that these actions will undermine efforts to protect clean air and water and disproportionately affect minority and low-income communities.
The DOGE initiative is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to reduce the federal government’s footprint. The administration has announced more than 700 lease terminations, including dozens of offices used by energy and environmental agencies. The closures have sparked concerns about the potential economic impact on small towns and cities where federal offices serve as vital lifelines.
