Feds streamline agency websites as critics lament loss of public datasets Image By EPN Staff Key Points Since early 2025, the EPA and CDC have removed thousands of climate and health datasets, citing executive orders to streamline outdated or duplicative web content. Critics warn the removals undermine transparency and hinder local governments, researchers, and communities that rely on this data for climate adaptation and public health planning. Lawsuits and archiving campaigns are underway as advocacy groups, universities, and nonprofits work to preserve access, while Congress begins to scrutinize the long-term implications. Federal climate and health datasets are disappearing from public websites, sparking concern from researchers, advocacy groups and policymakers. Since early 2025, agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have removed thousands of datasets that historically informed climate adaptation, environmental justice and public health planning. The removals, however, come in the wake of executive orders directing agencies to streamline their websites and eliminate content deemed outdated or duplicative. Why it matters Resources such as the National Climate Assessments and EJScreen, the EPA’s environmental justice screening tool, provided public access to information about pollution exposure, health disparities and climate impacts. Critics say their removal makes it harder for communities, researchers and local governments to access reliable data for decision-making, while also raising questions about transparency in federal climate policy. But supporters argue the changes are part of a broader – and overdue – digital modernization effort. The General Services Administration (GSA) directed agencies to eliminate redundant or outdated websites in favor of a streamlined digital presence. Officials have not directly addressed criticism over the removal of climate or public health datasets. The bigger picture The removals come as opponents claim climate-related risks are rising nationwide, citing flooding, wildfire and extreme heat events as proof. Lawsuits have been filed to restore public access, while academic institutions and nonprofit organizations are leading archiving campaigns to preserve at-risk datasets. Critics argue that pulling these resources undermines decades of progress toward open data and environmental accountability, regardless of whether they are outdated or duplicative, and long-term planning. Additional details Advocacy groups and research networks have stepped in to back up some of the removed resources, creating independent repositories to ensure continued availability. However, gaps remain in the accessibility of public health and environmental justice data that were used by state agencies and local planners. Legal challenges including court-ordered restoration of public health webpages has prompted congressional interest in the implications of data removals for environmental and public health policymaking. The outcome may influence how much federally funded data remains accessible in the future and whether new measures are put in place to preserve federally funded climate and health information. SUGGESTED STORIES Pilot program to streamline U.S. nuclear development The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a pilot initiative aimed at revolutionizing advanced nuclear reactor testing. The program allows private developers to build and operate “Qualified Test Reactors” (QTRs) under DOE authority, rather than going through the conventional Nucl Read more The public-private promise of nuclear energy As South Carolina lawmakers convene this month for the first regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly, the state’s energy future takes center stage. Meeting the demands of residential and industrial growth will be a key legislative priority, and the discussion around en Read more Evaluating the safety of public tap water Drinking water across the United States contains hundreds of chemicals, heavy metals and radioactive substances, often at levels researchers don’t consider safe, according to the Environmental Working Group, which recently updated its database of local water system tests. “The state Read more
Pilot program to streamline U.S. nuclear development The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a pilot initiative aimed at revolutionizing advanced nuclear reactor testing. The program allows private developers to build and operate “Qualified Test Reactors” (QTRs) under DOE authority, rather than going through the conventional Nucl Read more
The public-private promise of nuclear energy As South Carolina lawmakers convene this month for the first regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly, the state’s energy future takes center stage. Meeting the demands of residential and industrial growth will be a key legislative priority, and the discussion around en Read more
Evaluating the safety of public tap water Drinking water across the United States contains hundreds of chemicals, heavy metals and radioactive substances, often at levels researchers don’t consider safe, according to the Environmental Working Group, which recently updated its database of local water system tests. “The state Read more
