In a move that may surprise some, the EPA announced it will replace its iconic logo with one that will be less distracting and less threatening to consumers.
In an email to employees, the agency said that its new logo “has become the primary reference for the Agency in the media, with a distinct visual identity that can best be understood in terms of the broader environmental movement and the values of the Agency.”
The new logo, according to the EPA, will “offer a more inclusive, more powerful, more transparent image for our work and will be easily accessible to consumers.”
It is unclear exactly what the agency will replace the logo with, but it will likely be similar to the logo that was used by the agency during its transition from the George W. Bush administration to the Obama administration.
The agency has long been known for its aggressive approach to environmental issues.
As part of its Climate Action Plan, the Obama EPA announced plans to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2030 and use renewable energy.
This was in line with other major environmental and economic initiatives from the Obama era, such as the Clean Power Plan and the Clean Water Rule.
The new EPA logo also appears to be aimed at appealing to a broader demographic.
It is not clear how many employees the agency plans to replace, or how much the new logo will cost.
While the EPA will not be replacing its iconic green logo with a more generic design, the change could be a boon for the agency’s public relations efforts.
In the email, the Office of General Counsel and Communications Director Dan Bice said the agency “does not plan to change the Agency’s iconic logo.”
He said that the new agency logo “is in keeping with the Agency mission to provide a clear, clear and concise representation of the Administration’s work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce CO2 emissions and support the environment.”
The EPA also said that it will provide “continued information on the new EPA agency logo in the coming weeks.”
