Trump Budget Offers More Deep Cuts for EPA

The White House plan for fiscal year (FY) 2019 would reduce spending for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 25 percent, reducing the budget from $8.1 billion in FY 2017 to $6.1 billion. This would be the smallest budget for the EPA since the 1990s. The proposal would gut funding for climate-change research and reorganize research programs related to clean water, land preservation, and healthy communities. To replace these, the budget would allocate $112 million for “core mission” and $357 million for “Rule of Law and Process.” These new items might provide the agency with some leeway to move money around to support its priorities. The budget request would reduce funding for EPA’s Office of Science and Technology to $449 million, a 37 percent cut from 2017 levels. The proposed budget also slashes the number of full-time-equivalent staff positions from 2,124 in FY 2017 to 1,481 in FY 2019. The Environmental Program Management effort would absorb a 34 percent cut. The plan seeks to end the Climate Change Research and Partnership Programs at EPA. Although, the agency would continue to implement renewable fuel provisions under 2005 and 2007 energy laws, monitor national greenhouse gas emissions, ensure compliance of regulations aimed at reducing emissions, and maintain the Energy Star program. The superfund program would receive an additional $327 million in funding and the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account for the Clean Water a...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news