EPA Budget May Be Slashed Under Trump Administration

The White House is planning to cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency by around 20 to 25 percent, according to multiple outlets, including Reuters and the Washington Post. Cuts this deep would likely shut down many of the agency's programs.

These cuts would be part of an effort to shift a greater portion of the discretionary federal budget from regulatory agencies to the military. Under the administration's proposals, the military and related programs would receive a budget increase of $54 billion.

According to the Post, documents detailing the administration's plans for the EPA cut the budget from $8.2 billion to $6.1 billion. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Reuters reports that the these cuts will hit climate change programs and efforts to reduce air and water pollution.

In a speech to city mayors in Washington, D.C., newly confirmed EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced he was pushing for the White House and Congress to protect certain program.

“In this budget discussion that’s ongoing with Congress, it’s just starting, so there are some concerns about some of these grant programs that EPA has been a part of, historically,” Pruitt said. "I want you to know that with the White House and also with Congress, I am communicating a message that the brownfields program, the Superfund program and the water infrastructure grants and state revolving funds are essential to protect."

"Brownfields" are old industrial sites where hazardous chemicals and pollutants may contaminate the grounds. The Superfund program responds to environmental emergencies, such as oil spills. Pruitt did not mention climate change programs in his speech.

Like the White House Patch Facebook Page.

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up to comment on the site.

Photo credit: Indi Samarajiva