Amid recent budget cuts aimed at shrinking the size of the Federal government, many have worried about the possibility of the closure of the Duluth EPA lab.

Formally known as the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), the lab employs around 200 people. Recent months have seen a protest outside of the lab, as well as elected officials rallying support.

Ahead of the Duluth City Council’s June 8 meeting, employees of the lab as well as the President of the Union they’re members of, spoke to councilors on the possibility of the facility being shuttered.

During their testimonies, scientists, speaking on behalf of the union, shared their experiences working at the lab, what it’s research means for the community, and the uniqueness of its location.

“It wasn’t put there by accident,” said researcher Dr. Carlie LaLone. The resource that we have right here, the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, is actually very useful to our toxicology work. So we can utilize that freshwater resource to run experiments.”

Others chose a more personal testimony, explaining what the facility means to them.

“To me and so many others, losing the Duluth lab would be like losing a home. It’s fostered so many early career scientists like myself or Carlie who have developed amazing careers in academia, medicine, industry, business or government.” said Dr. Alexander Cole.

In May, WDIO reached out to the EPA to inquire about the status of the GLTED, and were told that it was not part of reorganization efforts. We reached out again to confirm this and received the following statement on June 10, 2025 from EPA Press Secretary Carolyn Holran:

“Throughout the agency, EPA is continuing to invest in research and labs, including Duluth, to advance the mission of protecting human health and the environment.”