EPA Closes Museum to Save Costs, Sparks Debate

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the closure of the National Environmental Museum and Education Center in Washington, DC, citing annual operational cost savings of $600,000 and low visitor numbers as reasons for the decision. The museum, which cost $4 million to build last year and focused on environmental justice and climate change, drew criticism from Zeldin as an example of wasteful spending by the Biden administration. Since its opening, the museum has seen fewer than 2,000 visitors, costing taxpayers about $315 per visitor. Zeldin emphasized his commitment to reducing federal expenditure, aligning with former President Trump's agenda to cut government spending. The museum featured environmental milestones but was accused of omitting significant events from Trump's presidency. The decision has sparked debate over the prioritization of environmental education versus fiscal responsibility.