US environmental regulators shift contract approval to a higher authority

The US Environmental Protection Agency moved the power to approve certain contracts from mid-level managers to top agency officials. This change is meant to make decisions faster and more efficient within the agency.

This is a small internal change, but it means fewer people can approve certain contracts. When fewer people can approve things, it often means more scrutiny or a slower process, even if the stated goal is efficiency. It centralizes power over how the agency spends money on outside services.