Regan told the panel the agency was asking for an increase of just over 1,000 employees, which he said were “the numbers we believe we need to focus on providing the appropriate research, the analytical capabilities to inform our regulations.” ADVERTISEMENT “With this increase we will still have a significantly reduced workforce,” he added. “What we hope to do with this thousand employees is replenish the capacity we’ve lost, but also build the capacity that we need for future activities to protect our air, water and land.” Regan also addressed the budget request’s provisions on environmental justice, which he said “underpins all of our work.”