The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will shut down its scientific research arm. The move has sparked widespread backlash from public health experts and climate advocates, who’ve warned this could lead to the dismantling of protections that shield communities from hazardous chemicals, water contaminants and toxic pollution. Gretchen Goldman, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in a statement, “The nation enjoys a cleaner environment thanks to the decades of high-quality research coming out of this office. Our nation cannot let this stand.”

This comes as the EPA is also seeking to delay monitoring and cleanup requirements for toxic coal ash, allowing coal plants to stall cleanup beyond the year 2030.