FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Contact:
Tim Whitehouse, (240) 247-0299, [email protected]
Kevin Bell, (202) 946-3642
PEER Opens Investigation into EPA’s Use of Artificial Intelligence
Workforce Monitoring and Chemical Safety Decisions Under Scrutiny
Washington, DC — Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), through counsel at the Free Information Group (FIG), today filed a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking records related to how the agency is deploying artificial intelligence tools within its workforce and regulatory programs.
The demand for documents seeks clarity on whether and how AI systems are being used to analyze employee communications, report on anti-Trump sentiment, and assist in evaluating chemical safety and other regulatory determinations.
The filing follows public reporting that EPA may be using AI tools to surveil employees and automate administrative expertise, as well as statements from Administrator Lee Zeldin promoting AI deployment across the agency and to expedite chemical reviews.
Specifically, PEER’s FOIA requests seek:
- Records related to any integration of external AI tools, including Grok or xAI, into EPA’s Microsoft 365 or Teams systems;
- Any keyword alert lists, sentiment markers, configuration files, or compliance dashboards used to analyze employee communications;
- AI-generated reports or dashboards categorizing or scoring employees based on “ideological neutrality,” “agency alignment,” or similar metrics;
- A suite of records relating to EPA chemical assessments and the use of AI, including AI screening tools on 7 chemicals; and
- Correspondence involving senior EPA leadership and the Chief AI Officer concerning AI deployment in workforce monitoring or regulatory contexts.
“AI is being introduced quickly into some of the most consequential decision-making spaces in government — faster than the oversight systems meant to govern it,” said Tim Whitehouse, PEER executive director. “EPA should explain whether it is using AI tools to analyze employee communications, how those tools are configured, and what role AI may play in evaluating the safety of chemicals. These are core public health functions that require transparency and clear guardrails.”
Public reporting has indicated that EPA employees were warned their communications could be subject to AI-based review. The agency has stated it is exploring AI primarily to improve administrative efficiency. To date, EPA has not provided detailed information explaining how AI systems are configured, what safeguards are in place, or whether such tools are being used in personnel or regulatory decision-making.
”America is not governed by a black box,” said FIG Partner Kevin Bell. “These tools are agency policy written in code, and Americans have a right to know exactly what that policy is.”
PEER argues that transparency is essential where AI tools may affect employee rights, scientific analysis, or public health protections. The organization has requested expedited processing and a fee waiver given the significant public interest in how AI is being deployed within EPA.
PEER and the Free Information Group will make responsive records publicly available as they are received.
PEER protects public employees who protect our environment. We are a service organization for environmental and public health professionals, land managers, scientists, enforcement officers and other civil servants dedicated to upholding environmental laws and values. We work with current and former federal, state, local and tribal employees.
