the environmental protection network · 3/22/2017 · the backdrop to the proposed cuts is the...

TheEnvironmentalProtectionNetwork

AnalysisofTrumpAdministrationProposalsforFY2018BudgetfortheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency

March22,2017

ExecutiveSummary

PresidentTrump’sBudgetBlueprinttakesanaxtoEPA,threateningseveredamagetohealthandenvironmentalprogramsthathaveprotectedAmericansfordecades.Stateagencyfundingisalsoslashed,eventhoughtheTrumpAdministrationisproposingtosimultaneouslyshiftmoreresponsibilitytothestates.ThebudgetfurthercallsforeliminationofmostEPAclimateprogramsevenastheearthcontinuestowarmandclimatechangeimpactsgrowworse.

Thereisnoevidencethatthecutsarebasedonanyrealanalysisofchangingneeds.SteepcutsandeliminationofmanyEPAprogramsseemtoreflectideologicalviewsabouttheroleandvalueofgovernmentprogramsthatprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment.TheTrumpBudgetBlueprintforEPAappearstobenothinglessthanafull-throttleattackontheprincipleunderlyingallU.S.environmentallaws–thatprotectingthehealthandenvironmentofallAmericansisanationalpriority.

Introduction

ThefollowingbudgetanalysisisprovidedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionNetwork,agroupofformeremployeesofEPAandotherfederalandstateagencieswhohavecometogethertohelppolicymakersandthepublicbetterunderstandthenatureandimplicationsofTrumpAdministrationproposals.HavingworkedforbothRepublicanandDemocraticAdministrationsovertheyears,wearefullyawarethatenvironmentalissuescanbecomplexandthattherecanbelegitimatedifferencesofopinion,includingaboutthevalueofaprogramortheappropriateoveralllevelofEPAfunding.

WedonotapproachouranalysisoftheTrumpAdministration’sbudgetproposalwiththeviewthateveryprogrammustcontinueasitexiststodayandthatnoprioritycanbereconsidered.However,wedobelievethattheimmenseandill-conceivedcutsthattheTrumpAdministrationhasproposedwouldinflictsevereharmtothesystemofenvironmentalprotectionthatthenationhasbuiltoverthepasthalfcentury.Theunavoidableconsequencesofthecutswouldbemorepollutionthatcausesillness,deathanddangerouschangestotheearth’sclimateandecosystemsonwhichAmericansandpeoplearoundtheworlddepend.

OfallthelargefederalagenciestargetedforcutsbytheTrumpAdministration,EPAishardesthit.Afteradecadeofmostlyflatordecliningbudgets,EPAisbeinghandedcutsof31%toitsbudgetand21%toitsworkforce.Clearly,thePresidentistryingtokeephispromiseofreducingEPAto“littletidbits.”1

ThebackdroptotheproposedcutsisthequietunderfundingofEPAandmanystateandlocalenvironmentalagenciesthathastakenplaceforyears.Astrongargumentcanbemadethat,althoughsomeprogramsmaywarrantreview,othersbadlyneednewinvestmentsimplytocarryoutthemissionsthatCongressgaveEPA.Addedresourcesarealsoneededtotacklenewlyrecognizedenvironmental

1https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/03/16/trumps-scorched-earth-epa-budget-draws-swift-reactions/?utm_term=.fb83f89e9cab

EnvironmentalProtectionNetwork--March22,2017

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problems.Thebudgetproposaldoesnotevensupportthe“essential”cleanairandwatermissionthattheTrumpAdministrationhasidentified.2ItcutsEPAfundingforthoseessentialprogramsandcutsnearlyinhalfthegrantsthatsupportstateagencies,whicharecentraltoimplementingtheseprogramsandensuringenvironmentalresultsontheground.

Inthefollowingbudgetanalysis,wesummarizekeyelementsoftheproposedbudgetanditsimplications,includingthehistoryofpastappropriationsanditsimpactsonthepartnershipbetweenEPAandStates.WethendiscussinmoredetailtheimpactsthebudgetwouldhaveonmanyspecificEPAprograms.Weconsiderouranalysistobeawork-in-progressthatwillbeupdatedasadditionalinformationandinsightsbecomeavailableandfuturedevelopmentsinthebudgetprocessoccur.

Contents

I. SummaryoftheProposedFY2018EPABudget

II. EPA’sBudgetIsAlreadyHistoricallyLow

III. StateEnvironmentalAgenciesandtheEPA-StatePartnershipCrippled

IV. ClimateProtectionProgramsEliminated

V. CleanAir,Water,andLandProgramsJeopardized

VI. ScienceandResearchFundingCutinHalf

VII. ProgramstoProtectAmerica’sGreatestWaterBodiesZeroedOut

VIII. ProgramsforVulnerableCommunitiesTargetedforElimination

IX. EnforcementCutatCostofMorePollutionandLessAccountability

Appendix:PartialListofProgramsProposedforElimination

2TheWashingtonPost,“TrumpNominatesScottPruitt,OklahomaAttorneyGeneralSuingEPAonClimateChange,toheadtheEPA,”December8,2016.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/07/trump-names-scott-pruitt-oklahoma-attorney-general-suing-epa-on-climate-change-to-head-the-epa/?utm_term=.0eb5b7b58f9c


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I.SummaryoftheProposedFY2018EPABudget

TheTrumpAdministration’sBudgetBlueprintforthe2018fiscalyearwouldcutEPA’sbudgetby31%anditsworkforceby21%.Overall,EPA’sbudgetwouldbecutfrom$8.2billionto$5.7billion,3returningEPAtoinflation-adjustedfundinglevelsnotseensincethe1970s4,beforeCongresssignificantlyexpandedtheagency’smissionbyenactingorstrengtheningenvironmentallawsliketheCleanAirAct,theCleanWaterAct,theResourceConservationandRecoveryAct,theSuperfundhazardouswastecleanuplaw,theSafeDrinkingWaterAct,theOilPollutionAct,and,justlastyear,theToxicSubstancesControlAct.TheBudgetBlueprint’sproposaltocutEPA’sworkforceby3,200,from15,376to12,176,orby21%,inoneyearwoulddrasticallyunderminetheagency’sabilitytoimplementtheseandotherstatutes.CuttingEPA’sworkforcebysuchalargepercentageinoneyearwouldbeunprecedentedinthe47-yearhistoryoftheagency.

Forperspective,theBlueprint’s“savings”of$2.6billionfromEPA’scurrentbudgetof$8.2billionisatinyfractionoftheTrumpAdministration’soverallproposed$1.15trillionbudgetfordiscretionaryspending.ReducingEPA’sbudgetby$2.6billionwouldsaveAmericansabout$9perpersononaverage,iftheAdministrationreturnedthemoneytoAmericansintheformoflowertaxes.TheAdministrationhasmadeclear,however,thatthe“savings”fromcuttingEPA’sbudgetwouldbeusedtofundmoremilitaryspending,sotaxbillswillnotbelowered.Those“savings”wouldinsteadcomeatfarhighercoststoAmericans’health,propertyandenvironment.5

TheBudgetBlueprintprovidesfewdetailsabouthowitsdraconiancutswouldbedistributedamongEPAprograms.Wheredetailsarelacking,however,moreinsightintotheAdministration’splansfortheagencycanbefoundintheearlierOMB“Passback,”aninternaldocumentspecifyingline-by-linecutsandinstructionstoEPA.6ManyofthebudgetnumbersinthePassbackhavebecomepublic.WehaveobtainedadditionalinformationaboutthePassback,andwehaveusedthatinformationinthisreport.7

3Morespecifically,theTrumpAdministration’sBudgetBlueprintwouldreduceEPA’stotalbudgetfrom$8.14billioninFY2016,and$8.244billioninFY2017,3to$5.7billion.Congresshasnotyetprovidedafull-yearappropriationforFY2017;theFY2017figureistheannualizedextensionoftheDecember2016continuingresolution(CR)thatprovidedfundingthroughApril2017(butexcludesone-time,non-continuingchangesmadeintheCR).4SeeSectionII.5Manyinvestmentsinenvironmentalprotectionpayhugedividendsforthenation.Forexample,a2011peer-reviewedEPAstudymandatedbyCongressestimatesthatpollutionreductionsfromtheCleanAirActAmendmentsof1990–asingleenvironmentallaw–willavoid230,000prematuredeathsandproducetotalbenefitsvaluedat$2trillionin2020.Thiscentralestimateexceedscostsbymorethan30-to-1.SeeTheBenefitsandCostsoftheCleanAirActfrom1990to2020,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyOfficeofAirandRadiation,March2011availableathttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/summaryreport.pdf6ReadersmaynoticethatthisreportcomparesFY2018figurestoFY2017annualizedcontinuingresolutionlevelsfortheBlueprint,buttoFY2016enactedlevelsforthePassback.TheFY2016andannualizedFY2017CRlevelsareclosebutnotidentical.TheBlueprintitselfmakescomparisonsusingFY2017,sothisreportusesthatinformation.ForthePassback,whichhasmuchmoreline-by-linedetail,FY2016enactedfiguresareusedbecauseofavailabilityofline-by-linedetailforFY2016enactedfigures.7ManynumbersinthePassbackhavebeenreportedbynumerousmediaoutlets.TheadditionalnumbersusedinthisanalysiswereobtainedfromS.WilliamBecker,ExecutiveDirectoroftheNational


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InconsideringthePassback’sspecificcuts,however,itisimportanttobearinmindthatthosecutsarelikelytounderstatemanyofthecutsunderlyingtheBudgetBlueprint,sincetheBlueprintcallsforevendeeperoverallcutsthanthePassback(31%versus25%cutinEPA’sbudget).8Butwhilethesizeofspecificcutsmaybeinflux,theoveralldirectionandpurposeoftheAdministration’sbudgetproposalsareclear–tocrippletheabilityofEPAandstatestodeliveroncongressionallymandatedmissionsforprotectingAmericans’healthandenvironment.

ImpactsonEPAprogramsFollowingarekeyobservationsfromouranalysisoftheBudgetBlueprintandPassbacktodate.Manyofthesepointsarefurtherexplainedinseparatesectionsofthisanalysis.Asnotedabove,ouranalysiswillbeupdatedasfurtherinformationbecomesavailableandasthebudgetprocessproceeds.

• MostofEPA’sbudgetcut43%:TheBudgetBlueprintactuallymakesaslightincreaseintwoofthelargestitemsinEPA’sbudget–thestaterevolvingfundsforbuildingcleanwateranddrinkingwaterinfrastructure.Togethertheywouldreceive$2.3billion.9BecausethesefundsrepresentalargeproportionofEPA’sbudget,theproposed31%cuttoEPA’soverallbudgetwouldactuallyamounttoa43%cuttotherestofEPA’sbudget,whichfundsitsprogramsforcleanair,water,andlandandclimateprotection,anditsgrantstostateenvironmentalagencies.

• MostEPA’sclimateprogramseliminated:TheBudgetBlueprintcallsforeliminationofmostEPAclimateprograms,includingclimateresearch,despitethefactthatclimateischanginganditsimpactsarebecomeincreasinglyworse.EPA’sregulatoryandvoluntaryprogramsareresponsibleformuchofthegreenhousegas(GHG)reductionstheU.S.governmenthasworkedtoachievetodate.ThoseprogramshavealsobeenkeytopersuadingothercountriestoagreetoreducetheirownGHGpollution.LossofEPA’sclimateprogramswithoutequallyeffectivereplacementssoonwoulddoincalculableharmtotheworldweinhabitandleaveforfuturegenerations.Moreover,theharminflictedbyeliminatingclimateresearch--includingresearchonthewaysthattheclimateischangingandtheconsequencesforAmericans–wouldreducepreparednessforchangesalreadyunderwayacrossthecountry.SeeSectionIV.

• Cleanair,waterandlandprogramscutback:ThePassbackcallsforsignificantcuts(manyontheorder

of10%to35%)toEPA’sprogramsforcleanairandwater,safewastemanagementandregulationofpesticidesandotherchemicals.ThisisthecaseeventhoughtheTrumpAdministrationidentifiedtheseprogramsastheappropriatefocusofEPA’swork(asopposedtoaddressingclimatechange).TheBudgetBlueprint’ssteeperoverallcutssuggestthatdeepercutstotheseprogramsunderlietheBlueprint.SeeSectionV.

• Grantstostatesandtribesslashed:TheBudgetBlueprintcallsfora45%cuttograntstostates,tribes

andlocalgovernmentstosupporttheirimplementationofcleanair,waterandotherprogramswould–evenmorethanthe30%cutproposedbythePassback.Theimportanceofthesegrants–andtheimpactsofdrasticallycuttingthem--cannotbeoverstated.TheU.S.systemofenvironmentalprotectionisbasedonalongstandingfederal-statepartnershipestablishedunderthenation’sAssociationofCleanAirAgencies,whoreceivedacopyofthePassbackfromAdministrationsources.Hehasauthorizedustonamehimasoursource.8ThePassbackcalledforreductionsof25%toEPA’sbudgetand20%toitsstaff.9ThesefiguresarefromtheBudgetBlueprint.


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environmentallaws.EPAsetsnationalstandardstoprovideeveryAmericanabasiclevelofprotection,andstatesimplementthestandardsinwaystailoredtotheircircumstances.Thisapproachalsorecognizesthatpollutioncrossesstateboundariesanddiscouragesstatesfromcompetingwithoneanothertoattractbusinessesattheexpenseoftheirresident’shealthandenvironment.TheBudgetBlueprintitselfproclaims“theimportantroleoftheStatesinimplementingtheNation’senvironmentallaws,”butthenproposestoslashthegrantsthathelpstatesandotherjurisdictionsmeettheirresponsibilities.TheBlueprintexplainsthatitsevendeepercutstostategrants“areinlinewith[theAdministration’s]broaderstrategyofstreamliningenvironmentalprotection.”CombinedwithitscutstoEPAprograms,theBlueprintmakescleartherewillbefarlessimplementationandenforcementofthelawsrequiringcleanandsafedrinkingwater,cleanair,safewastemanagementandcleanup,andsafeuseofchemicalsandpesticides.SeeSectionIII.

• Scienceresearchfundingslashed:TheBudgetBlueprintcutsnearlyinhalfEPA’salreadysparefundingfortheOfficeofScienceandDevelopment,whichprovidesfactsandanalysisneededtomakesounddecisionsaboutpublichealthandenvironmentalprotection.Cutting$233millionfrom$483millionwouldmeanapennyortwoof“savings”foreveryAmericantaxpayer–whiledeprivingthemofscientificknowledgethatcouldsaveAmericans’health,livesandpropertyfromtheharmfuleffectsofpollution.TheTrumpAdministrationclaimscurrentscienceistoouncertaintosupportactionagainstclimatechange,butthencutsscientificresearchatEPA(andotherfederalagencies)thatcouldprovideanevenmorerobustunderstandingoftheproblemanditsworld-changingconsequences.SeeSectionVI.

• Enforcementofenvironmentallawsundermined:UndertheBudgetBlueprint,EPA’senforcementprogramwouldbecutby23%,reducingresourcesforcomplianceassistanceandenforcement.Evendeeperproposedcutsingrantfundingforstateenvironmentalagencies,whichbringmostenforcementcases,wouldreducetheircapacitytomonitorpollutionandenforceagainstviolatorsofpollutioncontrolrequirements.Thecombinedeffectofthesecutswouldmean,quitesimply,fewerenvironmental“cops”onthebeatandpotentiallymorepollutionbeingreleasedandfewerviolatorsbeingheldaccountable.SeeSectionIX.

• Geographicprogramseliminated:TheBudgetBlueprintzerosoutgeographicprogramsthathelpclean

upandprotectimportantecosystemssuchastheGreatLakes,theChesapeakeBay,LakeChamplain,LongIslandSound,SanFranciscoBayandtheFloridaKeysandothersouthFloridaecosystems.Mostoftheseprogramsweredevelopedbecausestatescouldnotsolvecross-stateandinternationalissuesalone.Afterdecadesofbi-partisansupportforassistingstateswithdifficultandoftencross-boundarypollutionproblems,theBudgetBlueprintstatesthatitisreturning“responsibilityforfundinglocalenvironmentalefforts”tostatesandlocalitiesatasavingstothefederalgovernmentof$427million.SeeSectionVII.

• Morethan50otherEPAprogramseliminated:Tosaveagrandtotalof$347million,theBudgetBlueprintcallsforeliminating50+programsbasedontheclaimthattheyare“lowerpriorityandpoorlyperformingprogramsandgrants”or“duplicativeinfunction”orstateorlocalresponsibilities(withoutprovidinganyevidencetobackupthoseassertions).Itdoesnotlistalltheseprograms,butmanyappeartofallinthreecategories:voluntaryclimate-relatedprograms(seeSectionIV);programsfornationallysignificantecosystemssuchasChesapeakeBayandtheGreatLakes(seeSectionVII);andprogramssupportingthemostenvironmentallyvulnerablecommunitiesinthenationandinparticulartheentireEnvironmentalJusticeprogram(seeSectionVIII).OthersrangefromtheEndocrineDisruptorsScreeningProgram,whichconductsresearchonchemicalsassociatedwithmanyserioushealth


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problems(seeSectionVIII),toWaterSense,avoluntaryprogramestablishedatindustryurgingtolabelproductsthatuselesswater,andSTARresearchgrantswhichgotograduatestudentstobuildthenextgenerationofenvironmentalscientists(seeSectionVI).Amoredetailed,althoughstillincomplete,listoftheprogramsthatappeartobescheduledforeliminationbasedeitherontheBlueprintorthePassbackiscontainedintheAppendix.

• EPAstaffingslashed:TheBudgetBlueprint’sunprecedented3,200-personcutwoulddepriveEPAofthestaffitneedstoeffectivelyprotectAmericans’healthandenvironment.Makingcutsofthissizeinoneyearwouldalmostcertainlyinvolvelayoffsor“reductionsinforce”(RIFs).SincegovernmentrulesforRIFsgenerallyprotectolderworkers,theAdministration’sproposalwilldepriveEPAnotonlyofthestaffitneedsnowbutmanyofthenextgenerationofenvironmentalprofessionals,cripplingEPAforyearstocome.SeeSectionII.

• EPAregionalofficesconsolidated:ThePassbackcallsforreducingthenumberofregionalofficesfrom10toeight,hurtingEPA’sabilitytoassistpartnerstates.Togetherwiththeproposalsfordraconianstaffandbudgetcuts,regionalofficeconsolidationwouldthrowEPAintoturmoil,makingitextremelydifficultifnotimpossibletogetitsremainingworkdone.ThePassbackindicatesthatplanningforstaffingcutsandregionalofficeconsolidationarealreadyunderway;EPAhasbeentoldtoprovideafirstdraftforstaffingreductionstoOMBonMarch31.Otherdeadlinesarefastapproaching,asnotedbelow.SeeSectionIII.OtherimpactsonEPAoperationsInadditiontopreliminarynumbers,thePassbackgivesEPAinstructionsrelatedtohowtomakecertainbudgetcuts.Someofthoseinstructions,whichmayhavechangedsincethePassbackwasreleased,areincludedbelow.

• Reductioninstaffing:Reductionsaretobeachievedthroughattrition,buyouts,orlayoffs.EPAistosubmitareductionplanbyMarch31.TheplanistoincludebuyoutsandistoaligncapacitywithAdministrationpriorities.TheAgencyistoretainhighperformersandcriticalinstitutionalknowledge,realizeefficiencies,andavoidmajordisruptionstotheagency’swork.

• Consolidationof10regionalofficesintoeight:EPAistoidentifybyJune15tworegionalofficesforelimination.EPAistoconsiderreleasingcostlyrentalspaceinfavorofleasingspaceinlessexpensivelocations.

• Eliminationofthe“e-Enterprise,”ajointEPA-stateefforttoimproveoperationsthroughgreateruseofmoderntechnologysuchascreatingasingleportalthroughwhichregulatedbusinesseswouldinteractwithagenciesinsteadofwithmultipleprograms.

• Eliminationoffundingforthe“e-Manifest,”whichisintendedtoconvertthesystemfortrackinghazardouswasteshipmentsfrompapertoelectronicform.

• Facilities:EPAistoconductastrategicreviewwithOMBandGSAofoffice,warehouseandlabsspaceneedstoreflectchangesindirectionandfuturestaffinglevels.


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II.EPA’sBudgetIsAlreadyHistoricallyLow

TheTrumpAdministration’sproposedmassivecutstoEPA’sbudgetandstaffingaffectanagencyalreadyatalong-termlowpointinhavingthefundsandworkforceitneedstoachieveitsmanymissionsunderU.S.environmentallaws.Operatingfundsandstaffhavebeendecliningoverthelastthreeyears.Evenwhenbudgetsandstaffingwererelativelystableinearlier(seebelow),EPAhadtocopewithflatresourcesevenascostsandresponsibilitiesrose.Stateshavebeeninevenmoredirestraits,asEPAsupportstayedflatandstatebudgetssubstantiallydeclined.Stateshavebeen“doingmorewithless”foroveradecade,withfundingcrisesbecomingparticularlyacuteaftertheeffectsofthe2008-2009recession.ButthetruesignofEPA’scrisisisininternaloperations:since2012EPAhasshrunkinsizefrom18,000to15,000employees.Asaresult,manyEPAprogramsarecurrentlyunderfundedrelativetotheirhistoriclevels,whiletheU.S.economyandpopulationhavegrownandCongresscontinuestoimposenewdemandsontheagency.Ifanything,itistimeforenvironmentalprogrambudgetstobeincreased–notdramaticallycut–tocomeintolinewithhistorictrendsandnewdemands.

EPA’sbudgetwouldshrinkto1970slevels

Asshowninthetableabove,10asof2016EPA’sbudgetwasalreadyatitslowestpointsince1986(afteradjustingforinflation).Theadministration’sproposed$5.7billionbudgetforFY2018wouldcutittoan

10Source:CongressionalResearchService,“EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)FY2016Appropriations”(Nov.12,2015),p.7.NOTE:themostrecentfigureinthisgraph,for2016,isbasedon


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inflation-adjustedlevelnotseensincethemid-1970swhentheagencywasjustbeingformed.11TheTrumpAdministration’sFY2018proposalsslashpersonneltotheirlowestlevelsince1984,beforeCongressexpandedEPA’smandatesinnearlyeveryprogram.12

EPAWorkforce,1970-2017AndUndertheFY2018BudgetBlueprint

Atthesametime,EPAisbeingtoldtodofarmore

Asresourceshavedwindledinrealterms,EPAhasbeenrequiredtooperateagreaterarrayofprograms,introducemajornewprotectionmeasures(regulatoryandnon-regulatory),adaptprogramoperationstonewtechnologies(e.g.,sensors,realtimecompliancereporting,latestscientificinnovationstoassessandabatehuman-health&environmentalrisks),modernizefacilities,information

theObamaadministration’sproposedbudget.Theactualbudgetfor2016,whichwascarriedforwardinto2017(andslightlyreduced)waslower.https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44208.pdf11AnalysisbyEnvironmentalProtectionNetworkusingU.S.EPAhistoricalbudgetfigurespostedathttps://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/budgetandtheconsumerpriceindex.SeealsoCongressionalResearchServicepaperinfootnote8andInsideClimateNews,“WhatSlashingtheEPA’sBudgetbyOneQuarterWouldReallyMean,”(March10,2017);availableathttps://insideclimatenews.org/news/09032017/environmental-protection-agency-scott-pruitt-donald-trump-climate-change.12Forexample,since1990legislativemandatestoEPAhaveincreaseddramatically,imposingsignificantlymoreresponsibilities.Climate-relatedprogramsweremuchsmallerthenaswell.Someofthekeylegislationincludes:theCleanAirActAmendmentsof1990;SafeDrinkingWaterActAmendments(1996);theFoodQualityProtectionActamendingFederalInsecticide,FungicideandRodenticideAct/FederalFoodDrugandCosmeticsAct(1996);ChemicalSafetyInformation,SiteSecurityandFuelsRegulatoryReliefAct(1999);BeachesEnvironmentalAssessmentandCoastalHealth(BEACH)Act(2000);andtherecentlypassedToxicSubstancesControlActAmendments(2016).


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technologyandstaffcompetencies,andmuchmore.Manynewstatuteswereenactedorstrengthenedbetweenthemid-1970sand1990.Thepaceoflegislationhassincedroppedoffbutthelatestsignificantnewlaw,theChemicalSafetyforthe21stCenturyAct,wasadoptedonlylastyear.Twentyyearsago,climatechangewasrecognizedasaproblembutnottheurgentproblemthataccumulatingscientificevidenceconfirmsitisnow.AllresourcesdevotedtoclimatechangebyEPAhavecomeoutoftheresourcesformerlydedicatedtootherimportantpriorities.

Whatistheproperbenchmark?

Asdramaticastheproposedcutsare,theyshouldbejudgednotagainstthemostrecentlyenactedbudgetbutagainstalonger-termbaselinefromtheBushAdministrationandearlyObamaAdministrationyears,beforefederalbudgetarypolicywasovertakenbygridlock.

Asshownabove,EPA’sspendingrosegraduallyfromthelate1990sintotheearlyyearsofthenewmillennium,reflectingincreasingmandates.DuringtheGeorgeW.BushAdministration(responsibleforbudgetsfromFY2002toFY2009),fundinglevelsgrewgraduallyatfirstandreachedandexceeded$8billion,beforedecliningto$7.5billion.Duringthesameperiod,in-housestaffingheldsteadyatjustunder18,000“full-time-equivalents”(FTEs,otherwiseknownasstaff),declininggraduallyinthelatteryearsoftheadministrationtoalowof17,250by2009.

AfterasharpbutbriefresourceinfusionintheearlyObamaadministration(inpartreflectingthe2009Stimuluswhichaddedone-timeinjectionsforinfrastructureprograms),EPA’sbudgetretreatedtomoretrend-normallevelsin2011andbeyond–oscillatingrightaround$8billion.Likewise,staffinglevelsremainedjustunderthe18,000FTEmarkuntil2012.

Assessingtheadministrationbudgetagainsthistorictrends

Itwouldbeappropriatetoregardtherelativelylongperiodofstablefundingandstaffingfrom2003to2011asthe“baseline”formodernEPAprograms(excludingthe“stimulus”uptickin2009-11):roughly$8billioninappropriationsandjustunder18,000FTE.Totrulyjudgethecalamitousimpactofthelatestbudgetproposal,itshouldbegaugedagainstthisnearlydecade-longtrendofstableresources.

Comparedtothatbaseline,thepast3yearsalreadyrepresentaperiodofseriousresourcedeclineforEPA,evenpriortothisdraconianproposalfor2018.Asoperatingcostsroseandbudgetsdidnotaccountfortheseincreasingcostsandinflation,EPAwasforcedtocutstaffinglevelsfrom18,000to15,000inthelastseveralyears.Onlysomeofthesereductionsreflectefficienciesfromtheuseofnewtechnology.

EventhatbaselinedoesnotreflectgrowingneedsthatEPAisrequiredtoaddressorshouldbeaddressing.Whileitisdifficulttomeasurethedemandforenvironmentalprotectionwithanyprecision,itisworthnotingthatsince2000theU.S.populationhasgrownby15%andGDPby75%.Asnotedearlier,asignificantnewstatutewasenacted(withbipartisansupport)justlastyear,andtheneedforactiononclimatechange–thegreatestenvironmentalthreattheU.S.andtheworldhaveeverfaced–continuestogrow.

Statefundingisalsodeclining

Somecommentatorshavearguedthatthetruesizeofthefederalbudgetisconcealedbecauseworkissimplyshiftedtocontractorsand,especially,tostates.However,inEPA’scase,thereareno“invisible”programs:fundingforcontractorsandfederalfundingforstatesiscontainedwithintheagency’s


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budget.Moreover,mostgrantstostateshavebeenflatatbestinrecentyearsandarelowerthantheywereinthelastyearoftheGeorgeW.BushAdministration.AsdiscussedinSectionIII,theproposedbudgetwoulddramaticallycutstatefundingevenfarther.

Consequences

Inshort,theTrumpAdministrationisproposingnotsimplyamassivecuttoenvironmentalprograms,itisseekingthatcutatatimewhenmostobjectiveindicatorssuggestthatEPAandstateagenciesneedadditionalresourcessimplytocarryouttheiressentialfunctions.Thecutsaresofar-reachingthatalmostnoactivitywillbespared:protectionofair,waterandclimatefrompollution,enforcementofenvironmentalrequirements,cleanupofSuperfundsites,andanalysisofchemicalsandpesticides,amongothers.AtatimewhentheU.S.shouldbesteppingupitsinvestmentinenvironmentalprotection,theTrumpAdministrationisineffectdeclaringthatitisnolongertakingpollutionimpactsonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentseriously.


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III.StateEnvironmentalAgenciesandtheEPA-StatePartnershipCrippled

TheTrumpAdministration’sBudgetBlueprintcallsfora45%overallcuttothegrantsprovidedtostatesandtribestosupporttheirenvironmentalagenciesandprograms.13State,tribalandotheragenciesdomuchoftheworkimplementingcleanair,cleanwaterandotherimportantprogramsunderU.S.environmentallaws.14Thesegrants,listedattheendofthissection,coverprogramssuchasairqualitymanagement,supervisionofpublicwatersystems,hazardouswasteclean-upsandmore.

CombinedwithdeepcutstoEPA’sownprograms,includingitsregionaloffices,theAdministration’sproposedcutstostategrantswouldfundamentallyweakenstateenvironmentalagenciesandthepartnershipbetweenEPAandstateagenciesthatisthecornerstoneofthenation’ssystemofenvironmentalprotection.TheAdministrationBudgetBlueprintrightlyextollsthe“importantrole”statesplayinimplementingthenation’senvironmentallaws,yetsimultaneouslyproposesdraconiancutstothegrantsthatareacrucialsourceofstateagencyfundinginthenameofits“broaderstrategy”of“streamliningenvironmentalprotection.”

TheFederal-StatePartnership

Mostfederalenvironmentallawsarecarriedoutbyfederalandstateagenciesplayinginterconnectedroles.Ingeneral,EPAestablishesnationalstandardssothatAmericansinallpartsofthecountryhavecleanair,waterandland;statesdon’thavetosacrificethehealthandwelfareoftheirresidentsincompetingwithoneanotherforbusiness;andbusinesseshavealevelplayingfieldfromonestatetothenext.EPAalsohelpsprotectresidentsofeachstatefrompollutionreleasedinotherstatessincepollutiondoesnotrespectstateboundaries.

StateenvironmentalagenciesimplementmanyofEPA’snationalstandardssotheycanplayacentralroleinprotectingthehealthandenvironmentoftheirresidents.Inthisarrangement,stateagenciesdomuchoftheworkneededtomeetfederalstandards,includingissuingregulationsandpermitsforpollutionsourcesintheirstate,carryingoutinspectionsandbringingenforcementcases.EPAalsotakesenforcementactionstohelpensurecompliance,butmostenforcementisdonebythestates.EPAregionalofficesalsoplayakeyroleinassistingandundergirdingstateprograms,aswellasworkingdirectlywithmanycommunitiesandbusinesses.

EPAcarriesoutotherimportantprogramsitself,includingcleaningupmanySuperfundsitesandregulatingnationally-distributedproductssuchcarsandtrucks,pesticidesandotherchemicals.Eveninthecaseoftheseprograms,statesoftenhaveakeyroletoplay,suchastestingvehiclesforcompliancewithnationalemissionstandards.

ThePresident’sBudgetBlueprintwouldundermineeverypieceofthispartnership.ItwoulddrainstaffandresourcesfromEPAheadquartersprogramsthatsetnationalpolicyforcleanair,cleanwater,safedrinkingwater,safeuseofpesticides,climateprotectionandotherenvironmentalprotections.ThesecutswouldalsoflowthroughtoEPA’sregionaloffices,whichworkcloselywithstatesagenciesandinformnationalpolicy-makingbyprovidinginformationandinsightsdrawnfromtheirexperienceworkingwithadiversesetofstates.ThePassbackproposestoreducetheirnumberfrom10toeight.TheBudgetBlueprintdoesnottakeany“savings”fromcuttingEPAanditsregionalofficestoincrease

13Thesearecalled“categoricalgrants”inEPAbudgetdocuments.14Intherestofthissection,werefertostateagenciesasashorthandforstate,tribalandsomelocalagenciesthatplayapivotalroleinimplementingfederalenvironmentallaws.


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grantstostates.Instead,itcallsforreducingthosegrantsby45%overall.ItishardtooverstatethecumulativeharmoftheAdministration’sproposedcutstoEPAandstateagencyfundingwouldhaveonthepublichealthandenvironmentalprotectionsthatrelyonafunctioningfederal-statesystem.

MassiveCuttoStates

The45%overallcutinstategrantswouldeffectivelycripplemoststateenvironmentalagencies.Stateenvironmentalagenciesarethefirstlineofdefenseagainstair,waterandwastepollutionaffectingtheirresidents.Thelistofstepstheymusttaketoimplementfederalprogramsislong.Forexample,statecleanairprogramsmustdevelopdetailedplanstailoredtotheirstatesforimplementingnationalairqualitystandards.Todeveloptheirplansandputtheminaction,stateprogramsmonitorthelevelofpollutantsintheair;conductsophisticatedmodelingtounderstandtheimpactsofmonitoredpollutionlevels;inspectpollutionsources;andtakeenforcementactionsagainstsourcesthatfailtocomplywithpollutioncontrolrequirements.Theyalsohelpbusinessesunderstandtheirobligationsandrespondtocitizens'complaints.Moreover,stateairprogramsprovidesupportforEPA’snationalcleanairprogramsbytestingvehiclesforcompliancewithemissionstandardsandissuingpermitsthatpromotecompliancewithfederalaswellasstatecleanairrequirementsapplicabletolargefacilitieslikepowerplants.Stateprogramsforcleanwaterandsafedrinkingwaterandwastedisposalhavesimilarresponsibilitiesandtakemanyofthesamesteps.

Beyondharmingstateenvironmentalprograms,theAdministration’sproposaltocutstategrantswouldsetstatesupforcostlyfailure.UndertheCleanAirActandotherfederalstatutes,statesaresubjecttosanctionsiftheiragenciesfailtomeetfederalstandardsorotherrequirementsinacertaintimeframe.Thesesanctionsapplyregardlessofwhetherthestateagencyhavebeenadequatelyfunded.

Overall,a45%overallcutinstategrantswouldmeanfewerstatestaffandlessmoneytorespondtoemergencieslikehurricanes,floodsandseverestormsandthedamagetheydo.Itwouldalsomakeitmoredifficultforstateagenciestoimplementprogramsinwaysbesttailoredtotheirstate;issuethepermitsthatbusinessesneedtooperate;conductinspectionstoensurethatrulesarenotbeingviolated;andbringenforcementcaseswhennecessary.Stateagencieswouldalsobehinderedintheirabilitytocleanupcontaminatedsites,slowingredevelopment.Thegrantprogramforbrownfieldsprojects,whichisspecificallyintendedtospeedupeconomicdevelopment,istargetedforeliminationinthePassback.AdministratorPruitthaspubliclycalledforprotectingbrownfieldsfunding,15buttheBudgetBlueprintfailstoindicatewhetherhewassuccessful.

StatesAreAlreadyUnderFiscalPressure

Itisimportanttonotethatstateagenciesarealreadyunderfiscalpressure.Stategrantshavebeenflatformanyyears,andstatesoftencomplainthatthefederalgovernmentisnotpayingitsfairshare.Moreover,justasEPA’sworkloadhasincreasedwithstrengtheningamendmentstovirtuallyallenvironmentallawsoverthelastthreedecades,thestates’workloadhasincreasedaswell.Asthechartbelowshows,whiletotalstategrantshavegrownslightlysince2012,theyarestillwellbelowthelevelsseenintheGeorgeW.BushAdministration.

15http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321979-epa-chief-defends-grant-programs-wh-is-eyeing-for-cuts


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Eventhesmallgainsofthelastfewyearsaretheresultofmodestgrowthinafewtypesofgrants.Grantsformanyprograms,includingthoseforcleanwater,drinkingwateroversight,andhazardouswaste,arebelowtheirhistoriclevels.

EPARegionsAlsoBeingCut

EPAhas10regionaloffices,eachofwhichworkswithseveralstates,sovereignIndiantribesinthosestateand,inthecaseofsomeregions,U.S.territories,eachofwhichrepresentdistinctpoliticalframeworksanddiverseeconomiesandenvironmentalchallenges.Regionalofficesareakeypartofthefederal-statepartnership,becausetheyaregeographicallyclosertoandgettoknowtheirstatecounterparts,enablingEPAtomorequicklyandeffectivelyrespondtostateneedsandissues.

AnexampleofthekindofassistanceregionscanoffertostatescomesfromEPAregionalofficesinKansasCityandDallas.AfewdaysbeforeThanksgiving2016,achemicalplantexplodedinKansas.Whenthestatewasunabletorunanalysisofwatersamples,stafffromEPARegions6and7,andEPAcontractlabpersonnel,steppeduptorunanalysisuntilaslateas4a.m.onthenightbeforetheholiday.ThisworkwascriticaltodeterminingifthedrinkingwaterintakesforthenearbycommunitycouldtreatwaterovertheThanksgivingholiday.RiskassessmentexpertsfromEPAandthefederalAgencyforToxicSubstancesandDiseaseRegistryalsoprovidedtheKansasgovernorandotherstateofficialswithvitalinformationformakingpublichealthdecisions.OthercasesinwhichEPA’sregionalofficeshavesteppedintohelpstatesdealwithcircumstancesthatexceededtheirown


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capacitieswererecentlydescribedinaNewYorkTimesarticle,“WithE.P.A.Cuts,StatesWouldLoseHelpinEmergencies.”16

TheAdministration’sBudgetBlueprintwouldseverelyimpactregionalofficesinseveralways.First,partofthecutstonationalprogramswouldbepassedthroughtothecorrespondingprogramsinregionaloffices.Second,thelargereductioninEPAstaffingwillbeborneinpartbyregions.Finally,thePassbackdirectsEPAtoplanforaconsolidationofregionstoreducetheirtotalnumbersfrom10toeight,whichwouldreduceEPA’saccessibilitytotheaffectedstatesandcompromiseefficiencyinaddressingon-the-groundissueslikerespondingtonaturalandotherdisasters.

ReducingstaffinEPAprogramsandconsolidatingregionalofficesmeansthatEPAcannotbeasresponsivewhenstatesneedguidanceoncarryingouttheirprograms.Fewerregionalofficesmeansthatstatesintheaffectedregionswouldhavetoconsultwithfederalofficialswhoarefartherawayandlessfamiliarwiththeirlocalconditions.ThisispreciselyoppositetotherequestsofstatesandcommunitiesthatwantEPAtoputmorefederalstaffclosertotheproblemsthatEPA’sstatutorilymandatedprogramsareintendedtosolve,andwhichhaveresultedinestablishingkeyfieldofficesinEPA’sregions.

JointEPA-StateModernizationEffortsTargetedforElimination

ThebudgeteveneliminatesprogramsdesignedtomodernizebothEPAandstateprograms,andmakeinteractionwithregulatedpartiesandthepubliceasier.Forexample,truckscarryinghazardouswastemustmaintainamanifestthatrecordswhatisbeingshipped,itsoriginanditsdestination.Unlikelyasitmustseem,thesemanifestsarestilldoneonpaper.ToassisttheE-Manifestprogram,CongresshasfundedajointEPA-stateefforttoconvertthesereportstoelectronicform,whichallowsreportstobecompleted,submitted,storedandusedmoreeasily.Fornoapparentreasonotherthantosavearelativelytrivialamountofmoney,thisefficiency-improvingprogramisbeingeliminated.

Similarly,EPAandthestatesareengagedinaneffortcalled“e-Enterprise,”aimedatbringingtheirsystemsintothe21stcentury.Itisconvertingavarietyofsystemstomoderntechnology,allowinginformationtoflowmoreeasilybetweenstatesandEPA,andestablishesasimplifiedportalthroughwhichcitizensandregulatedbusinessescaninteractwiththeagencyratherthanhavingtogotoseveralseveraldifferentEPAprogramoffices.Thesearemodernizationswithanupfrontcostthatwillsavegovernment,businessesandtaxpayerstimeandmoneyinthelongrun.

DisregardforGovernmentatAllLevels

TheBudgetBlueprintstatesthatthereducedstategrants“areinlinewiththebroaderstrategyofstreamliningenvironmentalprotection,”and“eliminatesorsubstantiallyreducesfederalinvestmentinStateenvironmentalactivitiesthatgobeyondEPA’sstatutoryrequirements.”Thisexplanationmayapply,inpart,tograntsthatwouldassiststatesinimplementingEPA’scurrentprogramsonclimatechange,whichtheTrumpAdministrationseemstobelievedoesnothaveastatutorybasisdespiteaSupremeCourtdecisiontothecontrary.Inanyevent,thePassbackshowedcutstograntsforallprograms.TheBlueprintalsojustifiescuttingEPA’senforcementprogramasendingallegedly“duplicative”EPAandstateefforts.However,sincethereductionsinstategrantsalsocutfundingfor

16https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/16/us/politics/trump-environmental-protection-agency-budget-cuts.html


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stateenforcement,thereductioninduplicationisnotanefficiency–itsimplymeansstateswouldbeaskedtodomorewithintheirownalreadylimitedbudgets.

EnvironmentalprotectionintheUnitedStatesdependsonrobustfederalandstateprograms.TheTrumpAdministration’sbudgetshowsequaldisregardforalllevelsofgovernment.

Grantsprogramsforstatesinclude:

Nonpointsource(waterpollution) HazardousWasteFinancialAssistance

PublicWaterSystemSupervision PesticidesEnforcement

StateandLocalAirQualityManagement PollutionPrevention

Radon ToxicSubstancesCompliance

AirPollutionControlMonitoring UndergroundStorageTanks

AirPollutionControl–OtherActivities TribalAirQualityManagement

WetlandsProgramDevelopment EnvironmentalInformation

UndergroundInjectionControl BeachesProtection

PesticidesProgramImplementation Brownfields

Lead Multipurpose


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IV.ClimateProtectionProgramsEliminated

Accordingtoa2010NationalResearchCouncilreportcommissionedbyCongress,“Climatechangeisoccurring,iscausedlargelybyhumanactivities,andposessignificantrisksfor–andinmanycasesisalreadyaffecting–abroadrangeofhumanandnaturalsystems.”17SubsequentassessmentsbyothernationalandinternationalscientificgroupshaveconfirmedandstrengthenedtheNRC’s2010conclusioninlightofmorerecentdataandresearch.18Despitethesescientificassessments,EPAAdministratorScottPruittdoesnotbelievethescientificconsensusthathumanactivitiesaretheprimarydriverofrecentclimatechange.19TheTrumpAdministration’sBudgetBlueprinteliminatesorcutsfundingformostEPAclimateprograms,whichaccountformuchofthereductionsincarbonandothergreenhousegas(GHG)pollutionthattheU.S.governmenthasworkedtoachievetodate.Discontinuingtheseprograms,accordingtotheBlueprint,wouldsavetaxpayersover$100milliondollars–butinreality,itwouldcostAmericanstensofbillionsofdollarsbyincreasingriskstotheirlives,healthandproperty,andbyirreparablydamagingtheworld’senvironment.20,21EPA’scurrentclimateprogramsincludeseveralregulatoryprogramstargetingthelargestsourcesofGHGpollution;complementaryvoluntaryprograms;researchanddatagathering;technicalassistancetostates,localitiesandtribes;publiceducation;andinternationalworkthatreducesGHGpollutionaroundtheworld.EPA’seffortstosubstantiallyreduceGHGpollutionandhelpadvanceclimatesciencehavebeenkeytopersuadingothercountries,includingthosewhichemitmoreGHGpollutionthantheU.S.,toreducetheirGHGpollution,aswell.22Amongotherimpacts,theproposedcutswould:

• eliminatefundingforimplementingtherulecuttingpowerplantGHGemissions(theCleanPowerPlan)andgreatlyreduceEPA’sabilitytotakeadditionalactiontominimizeclimatechangeanditsimpacts;

• eliminatefundingforclimatechangeresearch,includingonhowclimatechangeworsensotherairpollutionlikesmog(seeSectionVI).

17NationalResearchCouncil(2010),“AdvancingtheScienceofClimateChange,”NationalAcademyPress,Washington,D.C.,p.3.TheNRCistheoperatingarmoftheNationalAcademiesofScience.18See,forexample,U.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgram,ClimateChangeImpactsintheUnitedStates:TheThirdNationalClimateAssessment,May2014;andIPCC,2014:ClimateChange2014:SynthesisReport,Geneva,Switzerland.19https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../on-climate-change-scott-pruitt-contradicts-the-epas-...20JustoneofEPA’sclimateprograms,theCleanPowerPlanforreducingGHGpollutionfrompowerplants,isprojectedtoachieveclimateprotectionbenefitsof$20billionandhealthbenefitsof$14-34billion.https://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/fact-sheet-overview-clean-power-plan21RegulatoryImpactAnalysisfortheCleanPowerPlanFinalRule,October23,2015,Table8-1,page8-3.https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/cpp-final-rule-ria.pdf22www.eenews.net/stories/1060043400


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• eliminateEnergyStarandotherunspecifiedvoluntaryclimatepartnershipprogramsthat

encouragepreventionofGHGandotherpollution;

• undermineoreliminateEPA’sabilitytoissueitsperiodicpublicreportsonthehumanhealthimpactsofclimatechangeandon33indicators(forexample,temperature,sealevel,Antarcticseaice,riverflooding,drought)thatovertimeindicatetrendsthatrevealclimatechangeanditsimpacts;

• reduceoreliminatethehelpthatEPAprovidesstates,localitiesandbusinessesforreducing

GHGpollution;and

• eliminateEPA’sabilitytohelpothernationsreducetheircontributiontoclimatechange.

ClimateChangeRegulatoryProgramsByeliminatingfundingforCleanPowerPlanimplementationwithoutprovidingfundsforareplacement,theBudgetBlueprintwouldsacrificethelargereductionsinGHGpollutionfrompowerplantsthattheplanwasdesignedtoachieve(32%decreasefrom2005levelsby2030).AkeystonetoEPA’seffortstoreduceGHGpollution,thePlanwasalsovitallyimportanttopersuadingotherhigh-emittingcountrieslikeChina,India,Brazilandotherstolimittheirownemissions.23ThePassbackproposesa69%cuttoEPA’sclimateprograms,acutthatmayhavegrownlargertohelpachievethesteeperoverallcutsintheBudgetBlueprint.AlongwiththeBudgetBlueprint’scutstotheagency’senforcementprogram(seeSectionXI),acutofthismagnitudewouldseverelyimpairEPA’sabilitytoimplementotherGHGcontrolprogramsandtakefurtheractionasmaybelegallyrequiredtoreduceclimate-damagingpollution.24Giventheimmensesizeofthecut,theseimpactswouldoccurregardlessofhowthecutsmightbedistributedacrossclimateprograms.TheAdministrationhasalreadybeguneffortstorollbacktheCleanPowerPlanandanotherimportantclimateaction,amid-termreviewofsecond-phasevehicleGHGstandardsthatconfirmedthefeasibilityofthosestandards.Thoseeffortswillrequirefundingsincerulemakingisgenerallyrequiredtochangeexistingrulesandfindings,andcourtchallengesaresuretofollow.TotheextentEPAlosesthosechallenges,morefundingwillbeneededtotakerulemakingorotheractioninlinewiththecourt’sdecision.EPAwillalsoneedfundingtorespondtorulemakingpetitionstoreduceGHGpollutionfromunregulatedsources.Atleastonerulemakingpetition(forGHGstandardsforexistingoilandgassources)remainsbeforeEPA,andothersarelikelytobefiled.TheCleanAirActgenerallyrequiresEPAtosetstandardswhenitfindsthatanairpollutantendangerspublichealthandwelfare.In2007theSupremeCourtruledinMassachusettsv.EPAthatGHGsare

23www.eenews.net/stories/106004340024InthePassback,the69%cutisintheEnvironmentalProgramManagementaccountthatprovidesmostofthefundingforclimateprograms.A24%cutisalsoproposedinamuchsmallerScienceandTechnologyaccount.


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pollutantsundertheActandthattheagencymustrespondtoapendingrulemakingpetitionbydecidingwhetherGHGpollutionfromcarsandlighttrucksendangerspublichealthandwelfareand,ifso,whatstandardstoset.In2009EPAfoundthatGHGpollutionfromthosevehiclesmeettheCleanAirAct’sendangermenttestandin2010setstandardsforthem.Eightyearslater,thescientificevidencethatGHGpollutionendangerspublichealthandwelfareisevenstronger.25ItisextremelydoubtfulthattheAgencycouldnowdeclinetomakeanendangermentfindingforanysignificantsourceofGHGpollutionandsoavoidregulatingthem.Settingstandardsinthewakeofendangermentfindingswillrequirefunding.Giventheexpenseinvolvedinrollingbackexistingclimaterules,defendingthoserollbacksincourtandrespondingtoadversecourtdecisionsandpetitionsfornewrules,thePassback’sproposed69%cutwouldleavelittlecapacityforEPAtoprotecttheclimateconsistentwithitsobligationsundertheCleanAirAct.FundingneededtomeetthoseobligationscouldcomeattheexpenseofotherEPAprograms.Thecurrentregulatoryprogramswhoseimplementationwouldbeundercutor,inthecaseoftheCleanPowerPlan,eliminatedbytheclimateandenforcementprogramcutsinthePassbackandBudgetBlueprintinclude:

• CleanPowerPlanstandardsexpectedtoreduceGHGpollutionfromexistingpowerplantsby32%over2005levelsby2030.Powerplantsrelease31%oftotalU.S.GHGpollution.26,27

• VehicleGHGstandardsexpectedtoachievereductionsof6billiontonsofGHGsoverthelifeoftheprogram(through2025).28EPAhassetstandardsforbothcarsandtrucks,whichtogetherreleased26%oftotalU.S.GHGpollutionin2014.

• OilandgasnewsourceGHGstandardsexpectedtoreduceemissionsofmethane,whichisamuchmorepotentGHGthancarbondioxide,by300,000tonsin2020andby510,000tonsin2025,theequivalentof6.9milliontonsand11milliontons,respectivelyofcarbondioxide,themostubiquitousGHG.OilandgassourcesarethelargestindustrialemittersofmethaneintheU.S.29

• LandfillGHGstandardsexpectedtoreduceemissionsofmethaneby334,000tons(orthe

equivalentof8.2milliontonsofcarbondioxide)beginningin2025.Landfillsarelargeemittersofmethane.30

25Seeexamplesofmorerecentreportsinfootnote2.26https://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-existing-power-plant27GHGpollutionfromexistingpowerplantsmayalsobesubjecttocontrolwhenplantsundergoCleanAirActpermitting.NewpowerplantsaresubjecttoGHGstandardsforthosesources.28https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/final-rule-model-year-2012-2016-light-duty-vehicle;https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-dot-finalize-greenhouse-gas-and-fuel-efficiency-standards-heavy-duty-trucks-029https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-industry30https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-final-actions-cut-methane-emissions-municipal-solid-waste-landfills


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OngoingdevelopmentofGHGpollutioncontrolsthatwouldbeundermined,ifnoteliminated,bythePassback’sproposedcutsinclude:

• OilandgasexistingsourceGHGstandardstoaddresssignificantemissionsofGHG(methane)pollutionemittedbythesesources.31SinceEPAhasalreadysetstandardsfornewoilandgassources,theCleanAirActrequiresittosetstandardsforexistingsources,whichemitmuchlargeramountsofGHGpollutionthannewsources.

• AircraftGHGstandardstoaddresstheendangermentfindingEPAissuedlastyearinresponsetoarulemakingpetitionandtoimplementaninternationalagreementoncontrolofaircraftGHGemissionsreachedlastyear.32Aircraftemissionsare3%oftotalU.S.GHGemissions.EPAisworkingwiththeFAAindevelopingstandards.33

• Regulationofhydrofluorocarbons(HFCs),whichareextremelypotentGHGsusedin

refrigerationandothersystems.TheU.S.recentlyparticipatedinsuccessfulglobalnegotiationsforanewamendmenttothehighlysuccessfulMontrealProtocolfortheProtectionofStratosphericOzone.ThenewamendmentcallsfornationstophaseoutHFCs,whichweredevelopedasasubstituteforstratosphericozone-depletingchemicalsbuthaveextremelyhighglobalwarmingpotential.34

ClimateChangeResearchProgramsTheBudgetBlueprint’seliminationoffundingforclimatechangeresearchwoulddrasticallyundermineEPA’sabilitytorespondeffectivelytochangesinclimateandairqualityandprovidetheinformationneededbyindividuals,communitiesandgovernmentagenciestomakepublichealthdecisionsaboutairqualityandadapttoclimatechangeimpacts.SeeSectionVI.ItisalsoimportanttonotethattheAdministrationisproposingheavycutstoclimatescienceresearchconductedbyotherfederalagencies,35evenasEPAAdministratorPruittclaimsthatcurrentlyavailablescientificevidenceisnotsufficienttodeterminehowmuchhumanactivitiescontributetoclimatechange.36

31TheAdministrationrecentlyrescindedarequestforemissionsinformationfromexistingoilandgassources.TheCleanAirActauthorizesEPAtomakesuchrequeststodeterminewhat,ifany,reductionsareneededandreasonabletorequire.32EPAisrequiredtosetaircraftGHGstandardsbythe2016InternationalCivilAviationOrganizationagreement,independentoftheendangermentfindingitmade.33https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/regulations-greenhouse-gas-emissions-aircraft34https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/recent-international-developments-under-montreal-protocol35SeeBudgetBlueprintsectionsonNOAAandNASA.36https://www.c-span.org/video/?421719-1/epa-nominee-scott-pruitt-testifies-confirmation-hearing&live


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ClimateChangeVoluntaryProgramsTheBudgetBlueprint’sproposaltoeliminateEnergyStarandothervoluntaryclimatepartnershipprogramswouldputatriskmuchoftheprogressthathasbeenmade–andtheadditionalprogressthatstillcanbemade–inpreventingGHGandotherairpollution.Itwouldalsobreakwithabi-partisanlegacyofencouragingvoluntaryactiontoprotectclimateandcleanairthroughpollutionprevention.TheproposalforeliminationisaccompaniedbyarequestthatEPAtransferEnergyStarandexploretransferoftheotherprogramstotheprivatesector.37However,therequestisnotsupportedby,orcontingenton,anyanalysisshowingthattheseprogramscouldorwouldbesuccessfullymanagedintheprivatesectororwouldmaintainthegainsinpollutionpreventiontheyhaveachieved.TheCleanAirActrequiresEPAtodevelopnon-regulatorystrategiesandtechnologiesforpreventionofairpollution,includingcarbondioxide(byfarthemostprevalentGHG),andtheseprogramsareexamplesofEPAmeetingthatrequirement.Theprogramsarepopularwithmanufacturersbecausetheyrecognizeinnovationsthatreducepollution.EnergyStar,begunbyEPAin1992andnowimplementedbyEPAandtheDepartmentofEnergy,isspecificallytargetedforeliminationbytheBudgetBlueprint.ThevoluntarylabelingprogramidentifiesandpromotesenergyefficientproductstoreduceGHGpollutionandotherairpollution.TheEnergyStarlabelisnowonmajorappliances,officeequipment,lighting,homeelectronics,andnewhomes,buildingsandplants.EnergyStaralsoprovidestoolslikePortfolioManager,aninteractivetoolthatenablescompaniestotrackandassessenergyandwateruseacrosstheirportfolioofbuildings.38Since1992,EnergyStarhaspreventedmorethantwobilliontonsofGHGemissionsandsaved$362millioninutilitybills.39ThevoluntaryclimatepartnershipprogramstargetedforeliminationbytheBudgetBlueprintwerenotspecificallynamed.ThePassbackindicatesthat14programswouldbeeliminatedbutdidspecifythem.EPA’svoluntarypartnershipprogramshavealongtrackrecordofreducingoravoidingairpollutantsthatcontributetodangerousozone,particulateandstratosphericozone-damagingpollution,aswellasGHGpollution.Manyalsosaveconsumersandbusinessesmoney.Amongthesepartnershipprogramsare:

• CombinedHeatandPowerPartnership,whichencouragesfacilitiesthatgenerateelectricityon-sitetocaptureheatthatisotherwisewastedanduseittoprovidesteamorhotwaterforspaceheating,cooling,domestichotwaterandindustrialprocessestoachieveefficienciesofover80%comparedto50%forconventionaltechnologies.40

• GreenPowerPartnership,whichencouragesorganizationstouserenewableelectricitytoreduceGHGandotherpollutionassociatedwithconventionalelectricityuse.41

37EliminatingortransferringEnergyStarwouldalsorequireanamendmenttotheEnergyPolicyActof2005,whichmandatestheprogram.38https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-portfolio-manager/learn-how-portfolio-manager39https://www.energystar.gov/about/newsroom/the-energy-source/achievements40https://www.epa.gov/chp/what-chp41https://www.epa.gov/greenpower


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• Smartway,whichhelpscompaniesassessandstreamlineshippingoperationssotheycanuselessfuelandgeneratelesspollution.Expertsprojectthatby2050,globalfreighttransportemissionsofCO2willsurpassemissionsfrompassengervehicles.42

• AgStar,whichpromotestheuseofbiogasrecoverysystemstoreducemethaneemissionsfromlivestockwaste.43

• GreenChill,whichworkswithfoodretailerstoreduceHFCemissionsanddecreasetheirimpactonstratosphericozoneandclimatechange.44

• ResponsibleApplianceDisposal,whichworkswithutilities,retailers,manufacturers,states,

affiliates,andotherstodisposeofoldrefrigeratedappliancesusingthebestenvironmentalpracticesavailable.45

• CoalbedMethaneOutreachProgram,whichworkswiththecoalminingindustryintheU.S.andothermajorcoal-producingcountriestoreducemethaneemissions.46

• HighGlobalWarmingPotentialVoluntaryPrograms,whichworktosubstantiallyreduceU.S.

emissionsgasesthatarebyproductsofindustrialoperationsandextremelypotentgreenhousegases.Theprogramsinvolveseveralindustries,includingHCFC-22producers,primaryaluminumsmelters,semiconductormanufacturers,electricpowercompanies,andmagnesiumsmeltersanddie-casters.47

ClimateChangeAdaptationandPublicEducationProgramsCurrentlevelsofGHG(particularlycarbon)pollutionintheatmospherearemuchhighernowthantheywereover150yearsago,beforetheindustrialrevolution.48AsEPAexplainedina2008publicnoticeissuedbytheGeorgeW.BushAdministration,49ahallmarkofGHGsistheyremainintheatmospherefordecadestohundredsoreventhousandsofyearsdependingontheparticulargas,andtheyexerttheirwarmingandothereffectsoverthatlengthoftime.Theimpactsofwarmingalsoplayoutovertimeaswarmingoftheatmosphereleadstowarmingofoceans,meltingofseaiceandglaciers,warminglandandcreationof“feedbackloops”thatmakeswarmingworse,likereleaseofmethanefromthawingpermafrost.TheGHGsalreadyreleasedtotheatmosphere,regardlessoftheirsource,willcontinuetoincreaseaverageglobaltemperaturesforsometimetocome.Withincreasingtemperatures,dangerouseffectslikesealevelriseandhigherstormsurges,droughtsandwildfires,andheavyrainandflooding,willgetworse.Othereffectsofgreenhousegaseswillalsogetworse,likeincreasingoceanaciditythatinturn

42https://www.epa.gov/smartway/learn-about-smartway43https://www.epa.gov/agstar44https://www.epa.gov/greenchill45https://www.epa.gov/rad46https://www.epa.gov/cmop47https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/highgwp/voluntary.html48https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/news/7074.html49https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2008-07-30/pdf/E8-16432.pdf


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damagescoralreefsthatprotectnearbylandandsupportimportantfisheriesandtourism.Adaptingandbuildingresiliencetothealreadyunavoidableeffectsofclimatechangeareimperative,asiseducatingthepublicaboutthoseeffects.50EPA’sadaptationandresilienceprogramswouldlikelytobeseverelyharmedbytheproposedcuttoclimateprogramfunding.ThoseprogramsincludetheClimateAdaptationResourceCenter,51theClimatePortal52andotheractivitiestomakeresourcesavailabletocitiesandtowns,includingtraining,technicalassistanceandcontinueddevelopmentofotherresources.EPA’spubliceducationtoolswouldalsolikelybeseverelyharmed.Thosetoolsincludewebsiteandotherresourcesforstudentsandteachersandthegeneralpublic.53InternationalworkItisessentialthatothercountriescontroltheirGHGpollutionforsignificantprogresstobemadeonmitigatingincreasingGHGlevelsandclimatechangeimpacts.TheinternationalclimateworkdonebyEPAandotheragencieshashelpedmovehigh-emittingcountrieslikeChina,India,Brazilandotherstotakeactiontoreduceemissions.DespitetheimportanceofothercountriesreducingtheirGHGpollution,theBudgetBlueprinteliminatesfundingforEPA’sinternationalclimateprograms.TheBlueprintdoesnamethoseprograms.EPAworkswithothercountriesto:

• implementtheParisclimateagreement,includingcapacitybuildinginothercountriesandreachingagreementsforexpectationsandstandardsthatallcountrieswillfollow,suchasfortrackingemissions;

• implementtheHFCamendmenttotheMontrealProtocol;

• implementtheinternationalagreementonaircraftGHGstandards;and

• providetechnicalassistanceforreducingtheirGHGpollution,includingfromlandfillsandcookstoves,whichposeotherserioushealththreatstofamiliesinmanydevelopingcountries.54

50https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783/adapting-to-the-impacts-of-climate-change51https://www.epa.gov/arc-x52https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/new-epa-web-portal-helps-communities-prepare-climate-change53https://www.epa.gov/education;https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/links.html54https://www.epa.gov/air-research/clean-cookstove-research


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V.CleanAir,Water,andLandProgramsJeopardized

OverviewTheTrumpAdministrationhassaidEPAshouldfocusoncleanairandwater,55yettheAdministrationisproposingtocutfundsforimplementingtheCleanAirAct,CleanWaterAct,andothermajorfederalpublichealthlawsthathaveservedasthebackboneofthenation’senvironmentalprotectionsystemsincethe1970s.TheBudgetBlueprintforFY2018provideslimitedinformationonhowthe31%overallcutinEPA’sbudget56wouldbespreadacrossspecificprograms.However,thepreliminaryPassbackbudgetproposalthatleakedearlierrevealsrecentAdministrationthinkingonhowasmalleroverallcutof25%couldbeachieved.ThecutsinthecompleteTrumpbudgetdueinMaywillpresumablybeaslargeorlargerthanthosediscussedhereinalmostallcases.TheeffectsofthefundingcutswouldbeamplifiedbythedisruptioncreatedbytheproposalstoreduceEPA’sstaffby3,200positions,eliminate“morethan50”EPAprograms,andconsolidateofficesandoperations.ThePassbackwouldreducethenumberofregionalofficesfrom10toeight,forexample.Inadditiontocutsforcleanairandwater,thePassbackincludessubstantialreductionsinfundingforEPAandstatestocarryoutfederallawsdesignedtoassuresafemanagementofhazardouswaste,fundwastecleanups,andprotectthepublicfromthehazardsofpesticidesandchemicalsincommerce.TheBlueprintcallsfora45%overallcutincategoricalgrantsforstateenvironmentalprograms,anevendeepercutthaninthePassback.Asaresult,theAdministrationproposalwouldsloworreversetheprogressthatthenationhasachievedinprotectingpublichealthandecosystemsunderournationalenvironmentallaws.Greatprogressmade,butchallengesremain.Today,manyforgetthatinthe1950sand1960s,manyU.S.citiessufferedfromvisible,chokingairpollution,withLosAngeles,PittsburghandNewYorkCityamongthemostdramaticexamples.Studiesfoundthispollutionledto20excessdeathsinDonora,PA,in1948,200inNewYorkCityinNovember1953,and170inNewYorkCityinNovember1966.LakeEriewasdeclared“dead”inthe1970sduetoalgalbloomsandfishkills,andtheHoustonshipchannelandriverssuchastheCuyahoga,Chicago,andBuffalocaughtfire.Newsreportsinthe1960sand1970shighlightedchemicalhazardssuchaspesticideeffectsonbirdsandhumans,asbestoscausinglungcancer,chlorofluorocarbonsdepletingthestratosphericozonelayer,andsuspectedcancerincidencesfromhazardouschemicalsimproperlydisposedofinplacessuchasLoveCanalinNewYorkandthe“ValleyoftheDrums”inKentucky.57

55TheWashingtonPost,“TrumpNominatesScottPruitt,OklahomaAttorneyGeneralSuingEPAonClimateChange,toheadtheEPA,”December8,2016.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/07/trump-names-scott-pruitt-oklahoma-attorney-general-suing-epa-on-climate-change-to-head-the-epa/?utm_term=.0eb5b7b58f9c56RelativetotheFY2017annualizedcontinuingresolutionlevel.57EPAAlumniAssociation,“AHalfCenturyofProgress,”September2016.http://www.epaalumni.org/hcp/


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InthedecadessinceEPA’sfoundingin1970,EPA,stateandlocalagencies,andmorerecentlytribeshaveworkedjointlytoimplementthenation’senvironmentallawsalongwiththeregulatedcommunity,citizengroups,andothers.Theresulthasbeengreatprogressinreducingthecontaminationofourair,water,andsoil,andinbanningorrestrictinguseofdangerouschemicals--evenasthenation’seconomyhasgrowndramatically.Yetthenationstillfacesimportantpublichealthandenvironmentalchallengesfromairandwaterpollution,leadandothercontaminantsindrinkingwater,andchemicalcontaminationofourenvironment.Today’spollutionoftenislessvisible,yetstillcanpresentmajorpublichealththreats.Forexample,studiessuggestthatfineparticleandozoneairpollutiontogethermayresultintensofthousandsofexcessdeathsannually.58Althoughmunicipalandindustrialwastewaterismuchbettercontrolledtoday,contaminatedrunofffromstreets,farms,andotherlandscontinuestopollutethenation’swaters.Although1160hazardouswastecleanupshavebeencompleted,cleanupscontinueat535sitesandhundredsofcompletedsitesneedcontinuedoperationtoremainsafe.Thoughmanyofthemoretoxicpesticideshavebeenremovedfromthemarket,pesticidesaresuspectedofcontributingtothedramaticdeclineofbutterflies,honeybees,frogsandotherspecies.Concernshavearisenabouteffectsofcertainpesticidesandotherchemicalsonendocrinesystemsthatproducehormonesaffectingphysicalorintellectualgrowth,aswellasreproduction.Growinguseofnewtechnologiessuchasbiotechnology(e.g.,geneticmodificationofplants)andnanotechnology(extremelytinyparticles)inpesticidesandotherchemicalsrequirenewassessmenttechniquestoidentifyandmanageanyrisks.59Anotherchallengeisthatcleanairandcleanwaterprotectioneffortswillbecomemoredifficultasclimatechangecontinues.Forexample,higheraveragetemperaturesandmorefrequentheatwavesareanticipatedtocausehigherlevelsofozonesmoginmanypopulatedareasoftheUnitedStates.60Heavierdownpoursandextremeweatherwillincreasefloodsandrunofffromcities,farmsandotherlands,whichwillleadtomorenon-pointwaterpollution,andmoresewageoverflowsintoriversandharborsfromsanitarysewersystemsthatalsodrainurbanstormwater.Risingwatersandfloodsmayinundatewastewateranddrinkingwatertreatmentplants.61Inmanyways,environmentalqualityandclimatechangearelinked.TherestofthissectionexaminesindetailtheimplicationsoftheAdministration’sproposedbudgetforimplementationofnationallawsintendedtoprotecttheenvironmentforallAmericans.Majorcutsinresearchfunding(seeSectionVI)tosupporttheselaws,andtoconductenforcement(seeSectionIX),aredescribedinseparatesections.

58http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es304831q59EPAAlumniAssociation,“AHalfCenturyofProgress,”September2016.http://www.epaalumni.org/hcp/60CCSP(2008),Analysesoftheeffectsofglobalchangeonhumanhealthandwelfareandhumansystems.AReportbytheU.S.ClimateChangeScienceProgramandtheSubcommitteeonGlobalChangeResearch.Gamble,J.L.(ed.),K.L.Ebi,F.G.Sussman,T.J.Wilbanks,(Authors),U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Washington,DC,USA.61U.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgram,ClimateChangeImpactsintheUnitedStates:TheThirdNationalClimateAssessment,May2014.


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CutsinairqualityprotectionInadditiontodramaticcutsinclimateprotectionprograms(seeSectionIV),severalotherCleanAirActprogramsaretargetedforsubstantialcutsinFY2018bythePassback.ThecutbackswouldsloworreverseprogressbyprogramsintendedtocleantheairthatAmericansbreathe,reducevisibilityimpairmentinnaturalparks,andprotectthestratosphericozonelayerthatprotectspeoplefromcancer-causingultravioletrays.ThecutswouldreducethecapabilityofbothEPAandstatestoseethatairqualityinournationmeetsandmaintainsnationalstandardsforcommonpollutantswithserioushealthandenvironmentaleffects.Forexample,fineparticlesarelinkedtoprematuredeathinpeoplewithheartorlungdisease,nonfatalheartattacks,irregularheartbeat,aggravatedasthma,andrespiratorysymptomssuchasirritationoftheairways,coughingordifficultybreathing.62EPAandstateeffortsoverthepast46yearshavedramaticallycutairpollutionlevelsandhelpedmanyareastomeetnationalairqualitystandards.From1970to2015,aggregatenationalemissionsofthesixcommonpollutantsalonedroppedanaverageof70percentwhilegrossdomesticproductgrewby246percent.63However,scientificadvanceshaveresultedinupdatingofmostnationalairqualitystandardsoverthepastdozenyears,andmanyareascontinuetohaveunhealthyairforoneormorecommonpollutants.Oneofthemostwidespreadairpollutionproblemsisground-levelozone,whichislinkedtoincreasedasthmaattacks,lungdamageandprematuredeathaswellasdamagetoplantsandecosystems.TheproposedbudgetwouldsloworreverseprogresstoreducecurrentairpollutionproblemsthatdamagethehealthandwelfareofmillionsofAmericans.SpecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passbackincludethefollowing:

• EPA’sfederalvehicleandfuelsstandardsandcertificationprograms,fundedat$93.2millioninFY2016,wouldbecutby18%.Historically,theseprogramshaveachievedmillionsoftonsofemissionsreductions64bycoordinatingstandardsforvehiclesandfuels,andhavehelpedmanyareasofthecountrymeethealth-basedairqualitystandards.65TheproposedcutswouldmeanfewerfundsforEPAtosetupdatednationalstandardsandtoensurethatnewcars,trucks,andnon-roadengines(e.g.,farmandconstructionequipment,locomotives,ships)andplanesaremanufacturedtomeetthosestandards.Federalstandardsformobileemissionssourcesthatcrossstatelinesarecriticaltothestates’abilitytomeetairqualitystandards,andestablishalevelplayingfieldformanufacturers.TheVolkswagenemissioncontrolsscandalillustratestheimportanceofthecertificationprogramtoassurethatcarsandtrucksactuallymeetthosestandardsandachievethefederallyrequiredemissionsreductionsthatstatescountonincraftingtheircleanairplans.

62https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm63U.S.EPA:https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/progress-cleaning-air-and-improving-peoples-health64Seehttps://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/benefits-and-costs-five-important-clean-air-rules-2030-vehicles-and-engines65Seehttps://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/progress-cleaning-air-and-improving-peoples-health


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• Grantstohelpsupportstateandlocalairprogramswouldbecutby30%underthePassback--from$228.2millioninFY2016to$159.5millioninFY2018–andlikelyarecutmuchmoreundertheBlueprint.Tribalairgrantsalsowouldbecut30%fromtheirFY2016levelof$12.8million.ThesecutsaresignificantbecausenationalairqualitystandardssetbyEPAundertheCleanAirActareachievedthroughapartnershipbetweentheEPA,stateandlocalairagencies,andtribes.States,withEPAassistance,developenforceableplanstocutemissionswithintheirborders.EPA’sgrantsareanimportantcomponentofstateenvironmentalagencybudgets,especiallyafteryearsofbelt-tighteningatthestatelevel.Theworkloadforairqualityplanning,permitting,inspection,enforcementhasincreasedovertheyearsduetotighteningofscience-basedairqualitystandardsandtheregulationofadditionalpollutionsources.ReducingtoxicairpollutionandreducingvisibilityimpairmentinnationalparksareamongothermajorongoingairprogramactivitiesofthestatesandEPA.

• Federalsupportforairqualitymanagementintwoaccountswouldbecut$8.8million(7%),

compoundingthenegativeimpactofthestategrantcuts.EPAassiststhestatesindevelopingstateplansthroughtechnicalassistancewithdevelopinginventoriesoffacilityemissions,projectingfutureairqualitywithandwithoutproposedcontrols,informationonpollutioncontroltechnologies,includingcostsandeffectiveness,anddesignofplanstoachieveandmaintaincleanair.States’effortstomeetstandardsalsoareaidedbyseparateEPAworktosetemissionstandardsforimportantcategoriesofpollutionsources.Fundinginthiscategoryalsoincludesworktoreduceemissionsoftoxicairpollutants.

• Market-basedcleanairtradingprogramfundingintwoaccountswouldbecutby10%overall,

downfrom$24millioninFY2016.Theseprogramsreduceacidrainandinterstateairpollution.EPAestablisheseachstate’sresponsibilityforcontrollingemissionsthatharmairqualityinotherstates,andstatesandEPAworktogethertoimplementbudgettradingprogramsforpowerplantsandcertainothersourcestomeetthosetargets.Theseprogramshavedramaticallycutpowerplantemissionsthatcauseacidrainandinterstateairpollution,whilebeinglaudedasanadvanced,efficientregulatoryapproach.66However,furtherairpollutionchallengesremain,67andadditionalworkisneededtoaddressthemwhileadministeringcurrenttradingprogramsandmeasuringenvironmentalresults.

• Domesticandinternationalprogramstoprotectthestratosphericozonelayerwouldbecutby

10%inFY2018.InFY2016,domesticprogramsreceived$4.9million,andamultilateralfundtohelpdevelopingcountriestocomplywithcontrolmeasuresrequiredbyinternationaltreatyreceived$8.9million.Apeer-reviewedEPAstudyfoundthatactionstoprotecttheozonelayerwould,overseveraldecades,savemillionsofAmericanlivesfromskincancer,avoidhundredsofmillionsofnon-fatalskincancers,andtensofmillionsofcaseofeyecataracts.68However,despitebansonkeyozone-depletingchemicals,achievingthesebenefitswillrequirecontinuingimplementationofprogramstopreventreleaseofozone-depletingchemicalsstillinuse,requireproductlabeling,andevaluatesafealternatives.

• Dieselgrants:EPAhasissuedrulestoreducehazardousemissionsfromnewdieselengines.

However,oldenginescanbeusedfor30yearsormore,soDieselEmissionsReductionAct66Ibid.67https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/air-pollution-current-and-future-challenges68Ibid.


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grantsareprovidedforprojectsandstateprogramsthatretrofitdieselenginesinolderbuses,trucksandotherapplications.Thebudgetwouldeliminatethisprogramentirely,eventhoughCongressenactedtheprogramwithbipartisansupportaspartoftheEnergyPolicyActof2005tocutpublichealthriskfromexposuretohazardousdieselemissions.Theprogramhascontinuedtoenjoybipartisansupport.

• Indoorair:EPA’sradonandindoorairpollutionprogramswouldbecutseverelyunderthe

Passback.ThoughnotregulatedundertheCleanAirAct,avarietyofindoorairpollutantsposespublichealththreats.Peoplespendnearly90percentoftheirtimeindoors.69Radonisthesecondleadingcauseoflungcancer,andisestimatedtoberesponsibleforthedeathsofapproximately21,000peopleeachyear.70

• Theradonprogram,whichreceived$2.9millioninprogrammanagementfundsinFY2016,

wouldbecutbymorethan80percentanditsstaffeliminated.EPApartnerswith11organizationstoimplementaNationalRadonActionPlan,andworkswithstates,tribes,toeducatethepublicaboutradontestingandwaystoavoidbuildupofnaturallyoccurringradoninhomesandbuildings.Stateandtribalradongrants,fundedat$8millioninFY2016,alsowouldbeeliminated.

• Theindoorairprogram,whichreceived$13.7millionforprogrammanagementinFY16,would

becutby40percent.EPApartnerswithotherorganizationstoeducatethepublicaboutalltypesofindoorpollutionthreats,creatingtoolsforschools,offeringcooperativeassistancefunding,creatingpubliceducationmaterials,andrunningavoluntarypartnershipandlabelingprogramthathelpsnewhomebuildersimprovethequalityofindoorairbyrequiringconstructionpracticesandproductspecifications.

CutsinwaterqualityprotectionThePassbackwouldcutfundsforfederalandstatewaterpollutioncontrolefforts,andeliminateorseverelycutprogramstoprotectspecificaquaticecosystemssuchastheChesapeakeBay.(SeeSectionVII.)Proposedincreasesforcleanwateranddrinkingwaterinfrastructurecontrastwithdramaticcutsinfundsforstateenvironmentalagenciestoprotectagainstcontaminationofdrinkingwaterandofrivers,streams,lakesandcoastalwaters.

SpecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passbackincludethefollowing:

• CleanWaterActprogramstoprotectsurfacewaterquality(aseparateaccountfromotherslistedbelow)wouldabsorbacutofnearly10%inFY2018,downnearlyfromtheFY2016levelof$200.3million.AsubstantialfundingcutwouldreduceEPA’sabilitytoassiststatesandotherwisecarryoutitsroleinimplementingthestate-federalpartnershipestablishedby

69https://indoor.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-47713.pdf70https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon


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Congressforwaterpollutioncontrol.Waterpollutantsinrivers,streams,lakesandcoastalwaterscanposehumanhealthrisksaswellasdamageaquaticecosystems.WaterqualitystandardsaresetbystatesusingscientificcriteriaestablishedbyEPA.StatesalsouseEPAscientificinformationtodevelopstrategiestoaddressstormwater,nonpointsourcepollution,andotherpervasivecausesofwaterqualityimpairment.EPAalsohasastatutorydutytoapprovecleanupplansforpollutedwaters(TMDLs),andreviewsasmallpercentageofpermitsforconsistencywithFederallaw.

• MarinepollutionfundinginFY2018wouldbecutbymorethan15%fromtheFY16levelof

$10.2million.FundsareusedtosupportEPA’sstatutoryroleindesignatingsitesfordischargesofdredgematerialinoceanwaters,evaluatingoceandischargepermits,workingwithstatesondesignationofvesselno-dischargezones,andworkingwiththeNavyonuniformdischargestandardsforvesselsoftheArmedForces.

• Nationalestuariesandcoastalwaterwaysactivities,whichreceived$26.7millioninFY16,

wouldbecut34%.TheNationalEstuaryProgramprovidesfundsfor28estuariesnominatedbyGovernorsanddesignatedbyEPA.Foreachdesignatedestuary,localentities–suchasstateandlocalgovernments,universitiesorNGOs–developamanagementplantorestoreittofullysupporthumanusesanddiversebiologicalcommunities.(Formore,seeseparatepaperongeographicprograms.)

• Wetlandsfundingwouldbecut10%fromtheFY16levelof$21.1million.EPAestablishesthe

guidelinesunderwhichtheArmyCorpsofEngineersissuesdredge-or-fillpermits.Cutsinthisareacoulddelaysomereviews,andmightalsodelayworktoreplacetheWatersoftheU.S.Rule.

• Grantstoassiststatecleanwaterprogramsgenerallywouldbecutby30%underthePassback

(likelyanunderestimategiventheBlueprint’s45%overallcuttostatecategoricalgrants):

o Stategrantsforwaterpollutioncontrolprograms,fundedat$230millioninFY16.Federalgrantscomprise20-30%oftheresourcesmoststateshaveavailabletoprotectandrestorewaterquality.Thisreductionwouldseriouslyimpairtheabilityofstatestoissuepermitstonewandexistingpointsources,tomonitorthequalityoftheirwaters,todevelopwaterqualitystandardsandcleanupplans(TMDLs),identifyviolators,andtakeenforcementactionincasesofnoncompliance.

o Stategrantsforcontrolofpollutionfromnon-pointsourcessuchasurbanrunoff,whichreceived$165millioninFY2016.Thesefundshavebeenonasteadydownwardpatheventhoughpollutionfromthesesourcesisthelargestremainingcategoryofpoorlycontrolledpollution.Examplesofnonpointpollutionincludefertilizerandherbiciderunoff;oilgreaseandtoxicchemicalsfromurbanrunoffandenergyproduction;saltfromirrigationpractices;aciddrainagefromabandonedmines;bacteriaandnutrientsfromlivestockandfaultysepticsystems;andatmosphericdepositionofpollutants.BecausethesesourcesarenotregulatedundertheCleanWaterAct,non-regulatorystrategiessuchastechnologytransfer,demonstrationofsuccessfulapproaches,andeducationtobuildawarenessofproblemsandsolutionsareusedtobringaboutreductionsinnon-pointpollution.


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o Statecategoricalgrantsforbeachprotectionwouldbeeliminated.

• Waterinfrastructure:Bycontrast,theAdministrationproposes$2.3billionforstaterevolving

fundsforcleanwateranddrinkingwater,a$4millionincreasefromtheannualizedFY2017CRlevel,accordingtotheMarch16budgetblueprint.ItdoesnotspecifyaseparatefigurefortheCleanWaterStateRevolvingFundalone.TheCleanWaterStateRevolvingFundprovidesgrantstostatestocapitalizestaterevolvingfundprogramsthatprovidelow-interestloansformunicipalwastewatertreatmentplants,controlofnon-pointpollution,greeninfrastructureprojects,protectestuariesandfundotherwaterqualityprojects.Also,fundingforacceleratinginvestmentinwaterandwastewaterinfrastructurethroughcreditsubsidiesundertheWaterInfrastructureFinanceandInnovationActof2014(WIFIA)is$20million,thesameastheannualizedFY2017continuingresolutionlevel.

• Oilspillprevention,preparednessandresponsewouldbecutfromtheFY16levelof$14.4milliontoapproximately$12millioninFY2018.Areductioninregulatorysupportandinspectionstaffdrivesthefundingreductionforthisprogram,thePassbackstates.

CutsinstateandfederaldrinkingwaterprotectionFundingforEPA’sSafeDrinkingWaterActprogramswoulddecreasenearly7%,downfrom$96.5millioninFY16,undertheFY2018Passback.TheSafeDrinkingWaterActisthefederallawthatprotectspublicdrinkingwatersuppliesthroughoutthenation.Underthelaw,EPAsetsstandardsfordrinkingwaterqualitytoprotectpublichealthagainstbothman-madeandnaturally-occurringcontaminants.EPA,statesandwatersystemsworktogethertoseethatthesestandardsaremet.EPAprovidesguidance,assistanceandpublicinformationaboutdrinkingwater,collectsdrinkingwaterdata,andoverseesstatedrinkingwaterprograms.UndertheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,EPAsetsnationalstandardsforundergroundinjectionofwastesandothersubstancestoprotectdrinkingwaterfromcontamination,andprovidesgrantstostatestoenforcethefederalrequirements.GrantmoneyisprovidedtoEPAregionalofficestosupporttheseprotectioneffortsontriballands.Bycontrast,proposedfundingislikelytoincreaseslightlyfortheDrinkingWaterStateRevolvingFund,asnotedabove.TheDrinkingWaterSRFprovidesgrantstostatestocapitalizestaterevolvingfundprogramsthatprovidelow-interestloansandotherassistancetowatersystemsforimprovingdrinkingwatertreatment,fixingwaterdistributionpipes,andotherinfrastructureprojectsneededtoprotectpublichealth.SpecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passback--likelyunderestimatesgiventhe45%overallcuttostatecategoricalgrantsintheBlueprint--includethefollowing:

• Federalgrantstohelpfundstateandtribaldrinkingwaterprogramsthatsupervisepublicdrinkingwatersystemswouldbecut30%underthePassback,relativetotheFY2016levelof


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$102million.71Statesimplementfederaldrinkingwaterrequirementswithintheirjurisdictions,providingthemostdirectoversightofwatersystems.

• Stateandtribalgrantsforprotectinggroundwaterfromundergroundinjectionofwastesandfluidsalsowouldbecut30%,downfrom$10.5millioninFY2016.Injectionwellsareusedfordisposingofindustrial,municipalandhazardouswastes,enhancingoilandgasproductionbyinjectingfluidsinassociationwithhydraulicfracturing(knownas“fracking”),solutionmining,storingCO2,andpreventingsaltwaterintrusion.

Cutsinhazardouswastecleanups,undergroundtankcleanups,andbrownfieldsdevelopmentTheFY2018Passbackcallsforsubstantialcutsinsuperfundhazardouswastecleanups,cleanupofundergroundgasolinetanks,andre-developmentofcontaminatedsites.“Superfund”isthetermcommonlyusedforthecleanupprogramforhazardoussubstances–includingbothemergencyactionsandlonger-termcleanups–thatCongressauthorizedundertheComprehensiveEmergencyResponse,LiabilityandCleanupActin1980.SpecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passbackincludethefollowing:

• Overallfundingforthesuperfundhazardouswastecleanupprogramwoulddropfrom$1.1billioninFY201772to$762millionintheTrumpBudgetBlueprint,areductionofmorethan30%.(Thisamountisabitlargerthanthe$747millionfigureinthePassback,whichisthesourceofthemoredetailednumbersbelow.)

• SuperfundenforcementinthePassbackwouldbecutthan37%,a$55millionreductionfromthe$150.6millionallottedinFY2016.Thevastmajorityoflong-termsitecleanupsareperformedbythoseresponsibleforthedisposalofthehazardoussubstances.ConsistentwiththeSuperfundlaw,EPA’senforcementprogramworkstoholdaccountablethosewhoarelegallyliableforcleanup(i.e.,the“responsibleparties”)wheneverpossible.Otherwise,thesuperfund,financedbyspecialtaxesonindustryandotherrevenues,isavailabletopaythecleanupbill.

• Superfundhazardouswastesitecleanups,whichoftenmustbefundedbythefederal

superfund,wouldslowdownduetoa31%cutfrom$501millionto$344million.Manyofthesmaller,lesscomplexsiteshavebeencleanedup.Ahigherproportionofremainingsitesarelarge-area,difficult-to-cleansites,suchasminetailingandriversedimentcleanups.Manyofthesedonothaveresponsibleparties,orhaverecalcitrantresponsibleparties.Asubstantialcutinfundswillleadtosubstantialslowdownsincleanups.Giventhelargenumberofminingsites,itisnoteworthythatthePassbackincludesastatementthatnoneoffundsshallbeusedtofinalizeorenforcetheCERCLArulemakingonthehardrockminingindustryasthatruleis

71ThisfigureisforoneofthreestategrantaccountsassociatedwithCWAsection106;welackfiguresfortheothertwoaccounts(“otheractivities”and“monitoring”).72AnnualizedFY2017continuingresolutionlevel,basedonthe$330millionreductionspecifiedbytheBlueprint.


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currentlywritten.Thiswouldbelikelytocontinuetoletminingcompaniesoffthehookforcontaminationcausedbytheiractivities.

• Superfundemergencyresponsecapabilitieswouldbecutfrom$181.3millioninFY2016to$150

millioninFY2018,acutof17%.EPA’sabilitytoquicklyrespondtomultiplesimultaneousemergenciesiscrucial.AccordingtothePassback,thefundingreductionsreflecttheeliminationofgrants,significantreductionstonon-time-criticalremovalactions,andreductionstonon-cleanupsupportcontracts.

• EPAenforcementatfederalfacilities,fundedat$7millioninFY2016,wouldbeeliminated

entirely.FederalagenciessuchastheDepartmentofEnergyandDefenseDepartmentareresponsibleforcleaninguplarge,complexlegacysites.Manyinvolveradioactiveorotherhazardouswastesfromthecoldwareraandhavecontaminatedsoilandgroundwater.FederalsitessuchasHanfordinthestateofWashingtonareamongthemostcomplexandhazardoussitesinthecountry.EPAworkswiththeseagenciestoensurethatthesitesareappropriatelyaddressedunderfederalwastelaws.Eliminatingthesefundswouldleaveexternalaccountabilityoftheseagenciestothestates–atthesametimetheAdministrationiscallingfordeepcutsinfederalgrantstoassistthestateenvironmentalagencies.

• Brownfieldsrevitalization–whichreferstocleanupandredevelopmentorreuseof

contaminatedproperties--wouldbelimitedbyproposedcutsinEPAandstatefunding.EPA’sprogramfundingforthisactivityundermultiplestatuteswouldbecutby40%,from$25.6millioninFY2016to$14.7millioninFY2018.Theprogramprovidesgrantsandtechnicalassistancetocommunities,states,tribesandotherstoassess,safelycleanupandsustainablyreusecontaminatedproperties.Stategrantsforbrownfieldprojects,fundedat$80millionin2016,wouldbeeliminated,andstatecategoricalgrantsforbrownfieldswouldbecut30%,from$47.7millionto$33.4million.73Thesecutswillaffectjobs,redevelopmentopportunitiesandleavecontaminatedsitesforfuturegenerations.AsofSeptember2015,EPAestimatesthatgrantsthroughtheBrownfieldsprogram,authorizedbytheBrownfieldsLawsignedbyPresidentGeorgeW.Bush,havecumulativelyleveraged$24.2billionand116,963jobsandledto56,442acresoflandmadereadyforreuse.74

• TheLeakingUndergroundStorageTankprogramfacessubstantialproposedcutsforbothEPA

andstates.Undergroundpetroleumstoragetanks,suchasthoseatgasstations,haveseriouslycontaminatedgroundwaterinmanypartsofthecountry.Congresscreatedaseparatealiabilitysystemandcleanupprogramforleaksfromthesetanks.Theprogram,inwhichEPAandstatesarepartners,workstoinspectfederallyregulatedtanks,minimizefuturereleases,andcleanupoldandnewleaks.EPAfundingfortheprogramwouldbecutnearly25%fromtheFY2016levelof$91.9million.Stategrantsforundergroundstoragetankactivitieswouldbecut30%fromtheFY2016levelof1.5million.

73LikelyanunderestimategiventheBlueprint’s45%overallcuttostatecategoricalgrants.74Superfund:AHalf-CenturyofProgress.EPAAlumniAssociation,p.8http://www.epaalumni.org/hcp/


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CutbacksinhazardouswastemanagementFundsalsowouldbecutforEPAandstatestoimplementthefederalsolidandhazardousmanagementlaw,theResourceConservationandRecoveryAct(RCRA).RCRAmandates“cradle-to-grave”trackingofhazardouswastes,andregulatestheirproduction,shipment,storage,treatmentanddisposal.Thelawalsohasprovisionsgoverningothersolidwastes.OtherspecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passbackincludethefollowing:

• EPA’sgeneralwastemanagementactivitieswouldbecut11%fromtheFY2016levelof$59millionunderthePassback.ThismightcompromisetheabilityofEPAandstatestocarryoutthecongressionalgoalthathazardouswastebemanagedsafelyfromthemomentitisgeneratedtoitsfinaldisposal.

• Hazardouswastefinancialassistancecategoricalgrantstothestateswoulddrop30%75from$99.7millioninFY2016to$69.7millioninFY2018.Thisisdespitethefactthat80%ofallU.S.citizenslivewithin3milesofaRCRA-regulatedhazardouswastegeneratorortreatment,storage,ordisposalfacility(TSDF);50%livewithina1mileradius.76Androughly60,000suchfacilitiesexistintheU.S.,generatingandmanaging30to40milliontonsofhazardouswasteannually.77Evenbackin2011,aGAOreportnotedthatfundshad“notkeptpacewithinflation,increasesinworkersalaries,healthinsurancecosts,andincreasingworkloads.”78

• TheRCRAcorrectiveactionprogramwouldbecut12%,from$36.9millioninFY2016.These

cutswouldlimitEPA’sactivitytoensurethecleanupofcontaminationfromimproperhazardouswastemanagementpractices.Responsiblepartiesthatareseekingapermittotreat,storeordisposeofhazardouswastesarerequiredtocleanupenvironmentalcontaminantsattheirsites.ImproperdisposalcouldleadtothecreationofadditionalSuperfundsites.

• Wasteminimizationandrecyclingactivitieswouldbecut20percent,to$7.1million.

75Likelyanunderestimate,giventheBlueprint’s45%overallcuttostatecategoricalgrants.76U.S.EPA,“RCRA’sCriticalMissionandthePathForward,”June2014,p.10.https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/rcras_critical_mission_and_the_path_forward.pdf77ibid.78http://www.gao.gov/assets/330/321743.pdfHAZARDOUSWASTE:EarlyGoalsHaveBeenMetinEPA’sCorrectiveActionProgram,butResourceandTechnicalChallengesWillConstrainFutureProgressGAO-11-514RCRACorrectiveActionProgramp.28


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Cutsintoxicchemicalriskandpreventionprograms

TheFY2018PassbackwouldimposedeeppercentagecutsonaccountsthatfundEPAandstateprogramstopreventandreducetoxicchemicalrisks.Thesefederalprogramsincludevoluntaryprogramsforreducinguseoftoxicindustrialchemicals,aswellasregulatoryprograms.OneofthemostimportantlawsprovidingEPAwithauthoritytoreducechemicalrisksistheToxicSubstancesControlAct,originallyenactedin1976.TSCAprovidesEPAwithauthoritytorequirereporting,record-keeping,andtesting,andtoimposerestrictionsrelatingtochemicalsubstancesand/ormixturesincommerce.Thelawcoversalargeanddiversearrayofindustrial,commercial,andconsumerchemicals.CongressgaveEPAsignificantnewresponsibilitiesin2016undermajoramendmentstotheToxicSubstancesControlAct.TheFrankR.LautenbergChemicalSafetyActforthe21stCenturypassedbothhouseswithbipartisanmajorities.ThenewlawsetdeadlinesforEPAtoevaluateexistingchemicalsincommerceagainstarisk-basedsafetystandard.Unreasonablerisksidentifiedintheevaluationmustbeeliminated.Inaddition,EPAmustreviewhealthrisksofnewchemicals,orsignificantnewusesofexistingchemicalsbeforethechemicalcanenterthemarket.AdministratorPruittcommittedduringhisconfirmationhearingthathewouldcarryoutthenewlawinatimelymanner.79TheamountofmoneythatwouldbeallocatedtoTSCAimplementationisnotspecifiedinthePassback,leavingunclearwhetherimplementationoftherevisedlawwouldbeadequatelyfunded.TotheextentthatgreaterpriorityisplacedonEPA’sTSCAactivities,thiswouldmeanlargercutstovoluntaryprogramsthatinformconsumersaboutthechemicalcontentofproductstheyuse.SpecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passbackincludethefollowing:

• ChemicalRiskReviewandReductionwouldbecutfrom$58.6millioninFY2016to$45.9million,adecreaseofmorethan21%.ThiswouldreducetheoverallpooloffundsavailableforchemicalreviewsundertheToxicSubstancesControlActandvoluntarytoxicchemicalpollutionpreventionprograms,butit’sunclearhowcutswouldbeallocatedamongthoseprograms.

• Voluntaryprogramsfortoxicindustrialchemicals:ThePollutionPreventionActof1990createdanationalpolicytopreventorreducepollutionatthesourcewhereverpossible.EPA’srelatedinitiativesfocusonreducingtheuseoftoxicindustrialchemicalsinproductsandmanufacturingprocesses,rangingfromcleaningproductstoelectronicstochemicalproduction.SaferChoice71(formerlyknownasDesignfortheEnvironment)isavoluntarypartnershiphelpingconsumers,businesses,andpurchaserstofindproductsthatperformwellandaresaferforhumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisprogramalsoprovidesinformationaboutchemicalsafetytoconsumersandcommercialbuyerstohelpthemmakedecisionsaboutproductsintheirdailylives.TheGreenChemistryProgramisagroundbreakingeffortencouragingscientificsolutionstoreal-worldenvironmentalproblemsthroughthedesignofproductsandprocesses

79SeetranscriptofthePruittconfirmationhearingonJanuary18,2017,beforeSenateEnvironmentandPublicWorksCommittee:https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1291a5e0-b3aa-403d-8ce3-64cb2ef86851/spw-011817.pdf


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consistentwithgreenchemistryprinciples.Overtime,thesetechnologiessignificantlyreducedthehazardsassociatedwithdesigning,manufacturing,andusingchemicals.

• TheRighttoKnow(ToxicReleaseInventory)programwouldbecutfrom$13.9millionto$10.7

million,a23%decrease.CreatedbytheEmergencyPlanningandCommunityRight-to-KnowActof1986(EPCRA),whichwasspurredbychemicaldisastersinBhopal,IndiaandinWestVirginia,theToxicReleaseInventoryisapublicinformationprogramthatEPAusestoencouragevoluntaryreductionsinemissionsandtrackprogressovertime.Undertheprogram,EPAcollectsdataannuallyfromover20,000facilitiesonenvironmentalreleasesandwastegenerationforhundredsoftoxicchemicals.TRIprovidestoolsthatallowcommunitiesattheneighborhoodleveltolearnabouttoxicchemicalsthatindustrialfacilitiesareusingandreleasing.Theproposedfundingcutwouldlikelyhinderthecollectionofchemicalreleasedataandpublicationofthisinformationtoassistinpreventingandreducingthereleaseoftoxicchemicalstotheenvironment.

• StateGrants:ThePassbackwouldmakeacutofapproximately30%inthreestategrantprogramsaimedatreducingtoxicchemicalrisksundervariousfederallaws((likelyanunderestimategiventheBlueprint’s45%overallcuttostatecategoricalgrants).Cutsinleadgrants,fundedat$14millioninFY2016,wouldreduceeffortstoeducateandtrainindividualsworkingwithleadpaintabatementandfurtherriskexposingthemandtheoccupantsofthebuildingstoleadpoisoning.Cutsintoxicsubstancescomplianceassistancestategrants,fundedat$4.9millionin2016,wouldlikelyreducestateinspectionseffortstoassurecompliancewithstatutesandregulationsinthemanufacture(includingimport),processing,distributionincommerce,use,ordisposalofchemicalsubstances.Cutsinpollutionpreventionstategrants,whichreceived$4.8millioninFY2016,wouldshrinkstatepollutionpreventionoutreacheffortstobusinessesandindividuals.Reducedactivityandemphasisonpreventingpollutionislikelytoresultinincreasedcostsofcleanupandincreasedriskofthepopulation’sexposuretotoxicchemicals.

CutsinprotectionfrompesticidesEPAandstatepesticidesprogramsalsowouldfacesubstantialcutsundertheFY2018Passback.ThesaleanduseofpesticidesisgovernedbytheFederalInsecticide,FungicideandRodenticideAct.FIFRArequiresthatallpesticideproductsberegisteredbyEPAbeforetheymaybesold,andcoversproductsrangingfromweedkillersandbugspraystochemicalsthatmakeapplesgrowcrisper.Forpesticidesusedtogrowfoodcropsoranimalfeed,EPAestablishesa“tolerance”–themaximumallowableamountofpesticideresiduepermittedtoremainonafood.Unlikemostotherpesticideactivities,EPA’sauthoritytosettolerancesisprovidedbytheFederalFood,DrugandCosmeticsAct,ratherthanFIFRA.

SpecificcutsoutlinedintheFY2018Passbackincludethefollowing:

• TheFY2018PassbackwouldcutactivitiestoProtectHumanHealthandtheEnvironmentfromPesticideRiskbyroughly13%fromtheFY2016enactedlevel.Thisreductionwouldlikelycontributetodelaysinlicensingofnewpesticidesintothemarketplaceandinreviewandsettingoftolerancelevelsforpesticidesusedonfoods.


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• SteepercutsunderPesticidesResearchandDevelopmentcouldnegativelyimpactimportant

researchunderwaytokeepabreastofthelatestsciencerelatedtoassessingtheriskofpesticidestohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Scienceadvancesrelentlesslyovertime.The1996FoodQualityProtectionActincludedaprovisionthatallpesticidesmustbereevaluatedonastaggered,butregular,basis(every15years)inaprocesscalledregistrationreview.Additionally,emergingtechnologies,suchasgeneticallymodifiedcropsandnanotechnologyarebeingintroducedintoourenvironmentwithoutpriorevaluationofthepotentialimpacttohumanhealthandtheenvironment.EPAhasanobligationunderexistinglawstostudyandevaluatetheriskandimpactsofthesenewtechnologies.

• Aproposed30%80cutinGrantstoStatesforPesticideProgramImplementationand

EnforcementwouldlikelyreduceeffortstoenforceEPA'sAgriculturalWorkerProtectionStandard(WPS),whichisaimedatreducingtheriskofpesticidepoisoningandinjuryamongagriculturalworkersandpesticidehandlers.Thestandardoffersoccupationalprotectionstoover2millionagriculturalworkers(peopleinvolvedintheproductionofagriculturalplants)andpesticidehandlers(peoplewhomix,load,orapplycroppesticides)whoworkatover600,000agriculturalestablishments(farms,forests,nurseriesandgreenhouses).Together,thetwograntprogramsreceived$30.8millioninFY2016.

• TheEndocrineDisruptorsScreeningProgramwouldbeeliminated,thePassbackstates.This

wouldeliminatetheOfficeofChemicalSafetyandPollutionPrevention’sworktoscreenandtestchemicalsthatcaninterferewithreproduction,growthanddevelopment.EstablishedunderauthoritiescontainedintheFoodQualityProtectionActandtheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,theprogramisdesignedtoidentifychemicalsthatareendocrinesystemdisruptors,determineeffects,assessrisks,andultimatelycontrolthechemicalsunderexistinglaws.ThePassbacksaysfundingwoulddropfrom$7.5millioninFY2016to$445,000inFY2018,withthemoneydevotedtoclose-outactivities.

• Therehasbeengrowingconcernamongscientistsandthepublicaboutcertainchemicalsthat

mayharmtheendocrinesystem,acomplexsystemofglandsthatproduceshormones.Harmfuleffectshavebeenobservedonreproduction,growthanddevelopmentinsomeaquaticandterrestrialwildlife.Increasesinsomehumanreproductivedisordersandsomecancerscouldberelatedtodisturbanceoftheendocrinesystem.Also,adverseeffectsfromsomeenvironmentalchemicalsknowntoactontheendocrinesystemhavebeenobservedinlaboratoryanimals.

• Underthescreeningprogram,theEPAhasintroducedgroundbreakingnewtechnologies—

alternativetechniquesthatusecomputationaltoxicology(CompTox)topredictendocrineeffectsusingcomputermodels—whichwillenabletheagencytomovefromscreeningdozensofchemicalsperyeartoupto1,000peryear,whilemovingawayfromanimaltesting.

80Likelyanunderestimate,giventheBlueprint’s45%overallcuttostatecategoricalgrants.


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VI.ScienceandResearchFundingCutinHalfUseofthebestavailablescienceisattheheartofallEPAdecision-makingaboutpublichealthandenvironmentalprotection.EPAscientistsconduct,assessandfundstudiesthatprovidethescientificandtechnologicalinformationneededfordevelopingeffectivepollutionstandardsandmeasurementtechniques.Advancingscienceandtechnologyisessentialtomeetingtheagency’sstatutorymissionsforcleanair,cleanwater,safedrinkingwater,safeuseofpesticides,toxics,andhazardouswaste,andsafewastedisposal.EPAprovidesgrantsandoperateslaboratoriesacrossthecountrytoconducthighqualityscientificandtechnicalresearchneededtoprotectAmericansandtheirenvironment.Theadministration’sBudgetBlueprintcallsfora48%cutinfundingforEPA’sOfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD).ORDconductsorfundsmuch,butnotall,oftheagency’sresearch.TheBlueprintalsocallsfortheeliminationoftheagency’sclimatechangeresearch.ImpactsofSubstantialCutsinScienceandResearchProgramsAmongotherimpacts,thesecutswould:

• Impedetheagency’scapacitytoprovidescienceusedindevelopingstandardsandregulatoryprotections,asdirectedbyCongress;

• Delaysite-specificassessmentsusedforcleaninguphazardouswastesonpropertiesacrosstheUnitedStates;

• ReducetheEPA’sabilitytofundandleverageoutsideresearchdonebylabsanduniversitiesacrossthecountrytoidentifynewenvironmentaltechnologiesandmoreefficientwaystoprotecttheenvironment;

• Preventtheagencyfrombetterunderstandingandaddressingcomplexenvironmentalproblemssuchasnon-pointsourcepollution,chemicalinteractions,oremergingsourcesofrisksuchasnanoparticles;and

• ReducefundingfortheScienceAdvisoryBoard,apanelofexternalexpertsthatprovidesindependentadvicetotheagency.

TheFY2018proposedcutswouldweakenORDandEPA’scapacitytoprotecttheAmericanpublic,butalsowouldbefeltinstateandlocalgovernments,wherescienceisanessentialcomponentofmostenvironmentalprotectiondecisions.OneexampleisIntegratedRiskInformationSystem(IRIS)assessmentsofchronichumanhealtheffects,insimplewordssystemsforunderstandinghumanreactionstolong,continuedexposuretohazardoussubstances,suchascontaminatedgroundwater,drinkingwater,hazardouswaste,andmunicipalwaste.SpecificCutsTheBudgetBlueprintprovidesonlytheoverallfundinglevelforORD,butadditionaldetailsoncutstospecificscienceandtechnologyprogramsisprovidedintheearlierPassback.BecauseproposessteeperoverallcutsinEPAfundingthanthePassback,thecutsunderlyingtheBlueprintarelikelymoreseverethandescribedbelow.


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ThePassbackcallsforanoverall32%cut,from$735millioninFY2016to$498millioninFY2018,toEPA’sEnvironmentalScienceandTechnology(S&T)account,whichfundsORD’sresearchandotherEPAoffices’science,technologyandotherprograms.ThePassbackalsoindicatedthefollowingcutstospecificORDprograms,subjecttothecaveatjustmentioned:50%cutintheAir,ClimateandEnergyresearchprogramfrom$92millioninFY2016to$46millioninFY2018woulddrasticallyreducetheEPA’sabilitytounderstandhowhumansandtheenvironmentingeneralareaffectedbyairpollution;provideanalysisanddatatounderstandwhichpollutantstocontrolandatwhatlevels;andpreparethecountryandcommunitiestorespondtoclimatechangesandairquality.Thisinformationisneededtohelpindividuals,communitiesandgovernmentalagenciesmakepublichealthdecisionsessentialtotheirhealthandwell-being.TheairresearchprogramisoneoftheEPA’sbiggestsuccessstorieswithestimatedeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsfaroutweighingtheestimatedcosts.AirqualityprotectionssetinplacebyEPAhaveprovidedhealthandeconomicbenefitsestimatedtoreachalmost$2trillionfortheyear2020,81comparedtoestimatedcostsofroughly$65billioninthesametimeperiod.Pastinvestmentintheunderlyingsciencesupportingthisprogramhashadenormousreturns;compliancewiththeCleanAirActrequirescontinuedinvestment.35%cutintheSafeandSustainableWaterresearchprogramfrom$107millioninFY2016to$70millioninFY2018wouldpreventtheEPAfromdevelopingandusingthescienceneededtoensuresafedrinkingwaterandprotectandrestorewaterresourcesandtheirdesignateduses(e.g.,drinkingwater,aquaticlife,recreation,andindustrialprocesses).Cleanwaterisabasicpreconditionoflife;EPAsciencehelpsguardthatcriticalresource.46%cutintheSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesresearchprogramfrom$140millioninFY2016to$76millioninFY2018woulddealafatalblowtoaprogramthatprovidesdataandtools(data,methods,andindicators,anddecisiontools)toassistcommunitiesassessandaddresscommunityandecologicalhealth.Theimpactswillbefeltinchildren’shealthstudiesandecologicalresearchonthe“ecosystemservices”thatwetlands,urbantreecover,pollinators,andgreenspacesprovidehumanlifeintheformofnaturalfloodcontrol,cleanerairandwater,protectionsfromheat,andeconomicbenefit.Thisresearchdevelopsanddemonstratesnewandimprovedtechniquesforenvironmentalprotection,asEPAisrequiredtodobylaw.31%cutintheChemicalSafetyforSustainabilityresearchprogramfrom$89millioninFY2016to$62millioninFY2016wouldmakeitdifficultfortheEPAtofulfilloneofitscoremissions–evaluatingthepotentialimpactsonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentofthousandsofchemicalsinexistenceandunderdevelopment.EPAprogramofficesdependonthisresearchtodevelopthescientificknowledge,tools,andmodelsneededtoconductintegrated,timely,andefficientchemicalevaluations.

28%cutintheHumanHealthRiskAssessment,withintheChemicalSafetyforSustainabilityaccount,researchprogramfrom$38millioninFY2016to$27millioninFY2018wouldpreventtheEPAfrom

81TheBenefitsandCostsoftheCleanAirActfrom1990to2020,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyOfficeofAirandRadiation,March2011availableathttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/summaryreport.pdf(accessed03/15/2017)


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supportingstateandlocalgovernments,aswellasEPAitselfwithtimely,credibleassessmentsoftheimpactsofindividualchemicalsandchemicalmixturesonhumanhealth.Theseassessmentsareneededtosupportpriorityriskmanagementdecisions.EliminationofSciencetoAchieveResults(STAR)ProgramTheBlueprintimpliesthatSTARgrantswouldbeeliminated.Thisfellowshipprogramhasprovidedsupportsince1995forgraduatestudentspursuingadvanceddegreesinenvironmentalscience,promotingthisimportantfacetofeducationinscience,technology,engineeringandmathematicsanddevelopingthenextgenerationofenvironmentalscientists.ThisprogramalsoproducesstudiesthatassistEPAinitsmission.


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VII.ProgramstoProtectAmerica’sGreatestWaterBodiesZeroedOut

America’smajesticgreatwaters--theChesapeakeBay,theGreatLakes,theGulfofMexico,PugetSound,theSanFranciscoBay,andmanymore–arepartofournationalidentity.TheyarepartofwhatmakesAmericagreat,offeringvistastovacationers,recreationforboaters,fishandseafoodforourdinnertables,ecosystemsthatsupportgameandotherwildlife,andinsomecases,drinkingwaterforourcitiesandtowns.Butthehealthoftheseecosystemsisjeopardizedbypollutionfromacomplexrangeofcausesincludingurbanrunoff,farmrunoff,atmosphericdepositionofairpollutants,andotherpollutionsources.Fordecades,EPA’sgeographicprogramshaveprovidedfederalleadershiptohelpreducethecomplexpollutionproblemsthatdegradethequalityofAmerica’sgreatwaterbodiesandharmwildlifehabitat.EPA’sprogramsformajorbodiesofwateracrossthecountryaretheunifyinglinchpinthatbringstogethertheenergyandresourcesoffederal,state,tribalandlocalgovernments,businessesandotherorganizationstocleanupwaterwaysandlands,preventfurtherpollutionandrestorehabitat.Theselargecollaborativeeffortshavefarreachingbenefitswithintheirentiredrainagebasinsandbeyond,helpingtocleanuptributaryriversandwaterways,andbolsteringlocaleconomies.AllthesegeographicprogramswouldbeeliminatedinPresidentTrump’sbudgetproposal.Theprograms,whichreceivedatotalof$427millioninFY2016,worktoprotectandrestoretheChesapeakeBay($73millioninFY2016),PugetSound($28million),theGreatLakes($300million),theGulfofMexico($4.5million),LakeChamplain($4.4million),LongIslandSound($3.9million),SouthFlorida($1.7million),SanFranciscoBay($4.8million),LakePontchartraininLouisiana($1million),andSouthNewEnglandEstuary($5million).TheFY2018“BudgetBlueprinttoMakeAmericaGreatAgain”saysthateliminatingtheseprograms“returnstheresponsibilityforfundinglocalenvironmentaleffortsandprogramstoStateandlocalentities,allowingEPAtofocusonitshighestnationalpriorities.”ThisstatementseemstoimplythattheUnitedStatesdoesnothaveanationalinterestinhelpingstatestoprotectournation’sgreatestbodiesofwater,whichhaveenvironmentalandeconomicsignificanceforstatesbeyondthosethattheyborder.MostofEPA’sgeographicprogramsrequiregovernmentcoordinationacrossmultiplestates,ifnotacrossinternationalboundaries,tosolvelargeandcomplexproblems--aclassicfederalrole.Theeffectoftheproposalwouldreducefederalexpensesbyleavingthecostsofprotectingandrestoringnationallysignificantwaterstostates.Belowarenutshelldescriptionsofafewgeographicprograms,aswellasalistof28estuariesprotectedthroughbyarelatedEPAprogramthatworksthroughlocalpartnerships.ChesapeakeBayProgram.TheChesapeakeBayisthecountry'slargestestuary;itswatershedishometonearly18millionpeople.Throughthis$73millionprogramEPAworkswithotherfederalagencies,states,nonprofitorganizationsandacademicinstitutionstocoordinaterestorationoftheBayandwatershed.ThepartnershipincludessixstatesandtheDistrictofColumbia,atri-statecommission,andmultipleadvisorygroups.Theworkoftheprogramincludesnon-regulatory,collaborativeeffortsaswellasimplementationofthe“TotalMaximumDailyLoad”establishedundertheCleanWaterAct,whichservesasthewatershed’s“pollutiondiet.”8282Seehttps://www.epa.gov/chesapeake-bay-tmdl


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Aftermanyyearsofhardwork,theeffortstorestoretheChesapeakeBayarebeginningtopayoffanditisseenbyexpertsasreachingatippingpoint.Measurableimprovementisbeingseeninpollutionlevels,habitatandfisheries.AccordingtotheChesapeakeBayFoundation,“Weareseeingtheclearestwaterindecades,regrowthofacresoflushunderwatergrassbeds,andthecomebackoftheChesapeake'snativeoysters,whichwerenearlyeradicatedbydisease,pollution,andoverfishing.…[I]tisalsoimportanttonotethattheBayisnotsavedyetandthatprogressisnotconsistentthroughouttheregion.”83 Withthehelpoftheprogram,theBay’siconicbluecrabshaveincreaseddramaticallyinjustafewyears.Resultsliketheseincreasejobsintourism,recreation,andfish/shellfishindustries,renewingworkopportunitiesforwaterman,processors,packers,restaurantworkersandothertourismrelatedworkandinmanysmallbusinesses.84Theprogramalsogeneratesenvironmentalclean-upandmonitoringjobsinPennsylvania,Maryland,andVirginiathroughsewageandwatersystemimprovementprojects.PugetSoundProgram.Thisprogramforrestorationofthecountry'ssecond-largestestuary,hometoover4millionpeople,isacollaborationinvolvingfederal,stateandlocalgovernmentsaswellastheCanadianenvironmentalagency,aswellasmanyotherorganizations.85ItprovidesgrantstosupportworkledbysevenleadorganizationssuchasthePugetSoundPartnership(createdbytheWashingtonstatelegislature)andtheNorthwestIndianFisheriesCommissiontooverseeandcoordinateworkonecosystemrestoration,improvementstolandpracticesandwaterqualitymonitoring.Theworkincludesactivitiessuchasrestoringsalmonhabitatandshellfishbeds,managingstormwaterrunoffandrestoringwetlands.Theprogrambenefitstribesthroughfundingtohelpthemexercisetreatyrightstofishforsubsistenceandotherpurposes;itseliminationispartofapatternofdevaluingassistancetoparticularlyvulnerablepopulations(seeSectionVIII).

TheGreatLakesRestorationInitiative.Thismulti-stateandinternationalprogramisacomprehensiverestorationeffortaddressingproblemsrangingfromindustrialpollutiontoinvasivespecies,habitatrestorationandnonpointrunoff.86Theprogramworksacrosstheworld'slargestgroupoffreshwaterlakes--21%oftheworld’ssurfacewatersupply.Morethan30millionpeopleliveinthebasin,andthelakesserveasthedrinkingwatersourceforover40millionpeople.Morethan140differentfederalprograms,eightstates,municipalities,nearly40TribalNations,andcountlessorganizationsworktogetherundertheEPA-ledeffort.

Theprogramisaninternationalcollaborationaswellasaninterstateone.EliminatingtheprogramwouldthreatentheongoingeffortsofthemanyU.S.andCanadianparticipants.ThelatterincludetheProvinceofOntario,Canada,andmanycommunitiesnorthoftheborderthatcontributetotheeffort.Theseprogramsfundgrantstostatesandtribesfortheirrestorationefforts,grantstoNGOsforinformingandinvolvingthepublicinrelateddecision-making,cooperativeagreementswithuniversities,andcontracts.

GulfofMexico.TheGulfboasts33majorriversystems(includingtheMississippi)and207estuariesemptyingintothesea.TheGulfofMexicoProgram,amultipartycollaborativeeffortwithabudgetof83http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/state-of-the-bay-report-201684Debunkingthe"JobKiller"Myth:HowPollutionLimitsEncourageJobsintheChesapeakeBayRegion,ChesapeakeBayFoundation,December2011.http://www.cbf.org/document.doc?id=102385https://www.epa.gov/puget-sound86https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-restoration-initiative-glri


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$5million,workswithstatestomaximizetheefficiencyandutilityofwaterqualitymonitoringeffortsforlocalmanagers.Itfocusesonvoluntary,non-regulatoryactionsandsolutionsbasedonsoundscientificandtechnicalinformation.Itsworktorestorehabitat--especiallyrelatedtowetlands,coastalprairiesandstreambankscorridors--providesprotectionfromstormdamage,supportingcommercialandrecreationalfisheries,providingnestingandforaginghabitatforbirdsandotherwildlife,protectingpollinatorsandimprovingwaterqualityforrecreationaluse,aquaticlifeandresidents.Forexample,agoalfor2016,torestore150acres,resultedinrestoringover700acres.87SmallerGeographicallyFocusedEstuaryProgramsBeyondtheselargegeographicprogramsexplicitlydesignatedforelimination,EPA’swaterprogramrunsthe28estuaryprogramslistedbelow.Althoughgenerallysmallerinscale,theyaresimilartotheprogramsdiscussedpreviouslyinthattheyinvolvecooperationacrossfederalagenciesandwithotherlevelsofgovernmenttoprovidesocial,health,environmentalandeconomicbenefitsincoastalcommunities.AlthoughtheBlueprintdoesnotspecifyafundinglevelfortheseprograms,the34%cutinthepreliminaryPassbackindicatesthattheAdministrationislikelytoproposedeepcutstotheNationalEstuaryProgram/CoastalWaterwaysaccountwhenthefullbudgetisreleasedinMay.(Formoreprograminformation,seeSectionV).Albemarle-PamlicoNationalEstuaryProgramBarataria-TerrebonneNationalEstuaryProgramBarnegatBayPartnershipBuzzardsBayNationalEstuaryProgramCascoBayEstuaryPartnershipCharlotteHarborNationalEstuaryProgramCoastalBendBaysandEstuariesProgramDelawareCenterfortheInlandBaysGalvestonBayEstuaryProgramIndianRiverLagoonNationalEstuaryProgramLongIslandSoundStudyLowerColumbiaEstuaryPartnershipMarylandCoastalBaysProgramMassachusettsBaysNationalEstuaryProgramMobileBayNationalEstuaryProgram

MorroBayNationalEstuaryProgramNarragansettBayEstuaryProgramNewYork-NewJerseyHarborEstuaryProgramPartnershipfortheDelawareEstuaryPeconicEstuaryProgramPiscataquaRegionEstuariesPartnershipPugetSoundPartnershipSanFranciscoEstuaryPartnershipSanJuanBayEstuaryPartnershipSantaMonicaBayRestorationFoundationSarasotaBayEstuaryProgramTampaBayEstuaryProgramTillamookEstuariesPartnership

87https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico/gulf-mexico-program-2016-annual-report


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VIII.ProgramsforDisadvantagedCommunitiesTargetedforEliminationSeveraloftheTrumpAdministration’sproposedbudgetcutsaredirectedatprogramsthatprovideenvironmentalprotectiontolowincome,minorityandothervulnerableoroverburdenedcommunities.NospecificexplanationforthesecutsisgivenintheBudgetBlueprint,butthecutswouldsodisproportionatelyaffectthosecommunitiesthatthereappearstobeaconsciousdecisionthattheydonotwarrantEPA’sattention.Theseprograms,whichhavebeenmaintainedthroughseveralpreviousadministrations,includetheenvironmentaljusticeprogram,fundsforsafedrinkingandwastewaterinfrastructureforAlaskaNativeVillagesandfortheU.S.-MexicoBorderenvironmentalprotectionprogram.Grantstotribesthatimplementenvironmentalprogramsandservesimilarcommunitiessufferthesamedeepcutsasthoseforstates(discussedinPartIII).TheEnvironmentalJusticeProgramTheenvironmentaljustice(EJ)programisnotmentionedintheBudgetBlueprint,butthebudgetreflectedinthePassbackeliminatestheOfficeofEnvironmentalJustice,allofitsstaffpositionsandmostoftheprogram’sfunding.AccordingtothePassback,theprogramwouldintheorycontinueinEPA’sgeneralOfficeofPolicy,whichdoesnothaveanyinstitutionalexpertiseinthisarea,withminimalresourcesandnodedicatedstaff.Theplanclearlyintendstoeliminatetheprograminallbutname.TheamountofthereductionproposedinthePassbackwouldbe$5.2million,leavingonly$1.5millioninfunding(andagain,nodedicatedstaff).ItshouldalsobenotedthattheBudgetBlueprint’ssteeperoverallcuttoEPA’sbudget(31%insteadofthePassback’s25%)mightcomeattheexpenseofwhatlittlefundingthePassbackproposesforanEJprogram.ThefocusofenvironmentaljusticeisonaddressingdisproportionatelyhighandadversehumanhealthorenvironmentaleffectsofEPAactionsonminorityandlow-incomecommunitiesandindigenouspeoples.88EPArecognizesthatsuchcommunitiesmaybeparticularlyvulnerabletoenvironmentalandpublichealthchallengesandhavehistoricallyborneadisproportionateshareofenvironmentalharmsandrisk.Thus,asEPAcarriesoutitsmissiontoprotectthehealthandenvironmentofallpeopleineverycornerofournation,itsEJprogramhelpstheAgencydoitsjobfairly(andtargetitsresourceseffectively)byfocusingattentionontheenvironmentalandpublichealthissuesandchallengesconfrontingthenation’sminority,low-income,tribalandindigenouspopulations.Thishelpstomakeourvulnerable,environmentallyburdened,andeconomicallydisadvantagedcommunitieshealthier,cleanerandmoresustainableplacesinwhichtolive,work,playandlearn.Consequences:EPAhasworkedformorethantwodecadestoensurethatvulnerableandoverburdenedcommunitiesreceivethesameenvironmentalprotectionsaseveryoneelse,consistentwithEPA’sEJpolicyofensuringthatallpeople,regardlessofrace,color,nationalorigin,orincome,receivefair

88Furtherinformationontheprogramcanbefoundathttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-05/documents/052216_ej_2020_strategic_plan_final_0.pdf,andathttps://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice.Recentpresscoverageincludes:https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09032017/epa-environmental-justice-mustafa-ali-flint-water-crisis-dakota-access-pipeline-trump-scott-pruitt;andhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/03/01/white-house-proposes-cutting-epa-staff-by-one-fifth-eliminating-key-programs/?utm_term=.0e7a446eb81b


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treatmentandequalenvironmentalprotection.Forexample,EPA’sEJprogramworkswithotherofficestofocusattentiononproblemsfacingEJcommunitiessuchassafedrinkingwaterchallengesinunderservedcommunities,safeairforcommunitieswithpoorairqualityandlow-incomepopulations,humanexposuretocontaminationathazardouswastesites,withemphasisonminority,low-incomeandvulnerablecommunities,andprotectingournation’sfarmworkersfromharmfulpesticideexposure.EPA’sEJprogramlikewiserecognizesthatlow-incomeandminoritychildrentendtoliveinareasstillfacingtremendousriskfromleadexposure,andworkstoeliminatedisparitiesinchildhoodbloodleadlevelsasanintegralpartofreducingleadexposureforallpeople.WithouttheEJprogram,alreadyoverburdenedlowincomeandminoritycommunitieswouldagainbeatriskofdisproportionateenvironmentalburdens.TheEJprogramalsoincludesgrantprogramsliketheEJsmallgrantsorCollaborativeProblemSolvingprograms,whichhaveassistedover1,400communities.Partoftheenvironmentaljusticeprogram'sstrategyhasbeentohelpleverageitsrelativelysmallgrantsintolargeprograms.Spartanburg,SouthCarolina,forexample,receiveda$20,000environmentaljusticegranttohelpcleanupcontaminatedindustrialsites.Spartanburgultimatelyraisedmorethan$270millionfrompublicandprivatesourcesandusedtherecoveredlandtobuildhousing,ajobtrainingfacilityandhealthcenterscreatingjobsandreinvigoratingthecommunity.EPAgaveasmallgranttoTonawanda,NewYork,toconductambientairmonitoring.ThegrantultimatelyledtoacriminalcasethatEPAbroughtagainstTonawandaCokeCorporationforhighlevelsofdangerousbenzeneemissions.WithouttheEJprogram,thiskindofassistancewouldnotbeavailabletoensurefullenvironmentalprotectionforlowincome,minority,andindigenouscommunities.AlaskaNativeVillagesTheAdministration’sBudgetBlueprintproposestoprovide“robustfundingforcriticaldrinkingandwastewaterinfrastructure”tofurther“thePresident’songoingcommitmenttoinfrastructurerepairandreplacement,”butneverthelesseliminatesfundingfortheAlaskaRuralandNativeVillage(ANV)infrastructuregrantprogram,whichreceivedroughly$20millioninFY2016.ThisprogramfundsinfrastructurefordrinkingwaterandsanitationforANVcommunitiesthatlackaccesstotheseverybasicservices.89TheStateofAlaskathenallocatesthefundsamongthevillages,usingarisk-basedprioritizationprocesstodirectfundingtoprojectsthatwillhavethegreatestpublichealthandenvironmentalbenefit.Fundsmayalsobeprovidedfortechnicalandfinancialtrainingassistancetohelpcommunitiesmaintainandprotecttheirwaterinfrastructure.Consequences:RuralAlaskacontainsover280isolatedvillagesscatteredacrossanareamorethantwicethesizeofTexas.PopulationsinthesecommunitiesarepredominantlyNative.Manyofthecommunitiesreceivingsuchassistancearelow-income,havehighratesofunemployment,frequentlyexceeding50%,andarebasedinremotelocations,insomecasesonlyaccessiblebywaterandair.Thestateestimatesthatonefamilyinthreestilldoesnothaveaccesstoasanitarymeansofsewagedisposaloranadequatesupplyofsafedrinkingwaterintheirhomes.Formembersofthesefamilies,bucketsorpitpriviesaretheonlymethodsfordisposingofhumanwaste,andindividualsmusthaul89Seehttp://dec.alaska.gov/water/vsw/pdfs/vswbrief.pdfandhttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-04/documents/2015annualreport_anv_final_3_31_15.pdf


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waterfromcommunitywateringpointsoruntreatedsourcessuchascreeksorriversincreasinghumanexposuretosuchwaste.Asaresult,theageadjustedinfectiousdiseasehospitalizationrateforAlaskanativeshasbeen28percenthigherthanthenationalaverage,withahigherdisparityforinfants.Infectiousdiseasehospitalizationshaveaccountedforapproximately22percentofallTribalandANVhospitalizations,withlowerrespiratorytractinfections,skinandsofttissueinfections,andinfectionsofthekidney,urinarytract,andbladdercontributingtomostofthesehealthdisparities.Thefundingprovidedbythisprogramsupportsbasicdrinkingwaterandsanitationinfrastructure(i.e.,flushingtoiletsandrunningwater)criticaltoprotectinghumanhealtinvulnerableruralandNativeAlaskacommunitiesthatdisproportionatelylacksuchservices.A2008studyconductedbytheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionfoundthathealthdisparitiesassociatedwithlackofin-homewaterservicecouldbeaddressedthroughsanitationinfrastructure.Bothwaterbornediseaseratesandhealthcarecostshavedecreasedthroughthereductionofexposuretorawsewageanddrinkingwatercontaminants.VillagesthatreceivefundingfromtheANVprogramfortheconstructionofsanitationfacilitieshavealowerriskofskininfectionsandrespiratoryillnessesandanoverallimprovementindailywell-being.Untilrecently,theKwethlukCommunitywasthelargestunderservedcommunityinAlaska,withlimitedaccesstodrinkingwaterandnowastewaterinfrastructure.Atotalof181homeslackedaccesstodrinkingwaterandwastewaterinfrastructure.Communitymembersself-hauledpotablewaterfromacentraldistributionpointanddisposedofhumanwasteusingopenbucketsthatweretransferredincollectioncontainersviaATVtoalagoonoutsideoftown.Theseconditionspresentedmajorhealthrisks,asspillswerecommonandcontaminationwasspreadthroughoutthecommunitybyrainandairbornedust.In2009,theANVprogramandotherpartnersfundedtheconstructionofwatersource,watertreatmentfacilities,waterstorage,waterdistribution,sewercollection,sewertreatmentandplumbingtoeachKwethlukhome.U.S.-MexicoBorderprogramandborderinfrastructuregrantsTheBudgetBlueprintwouldeliminatetheU.S.-MexicoBorderProgram(whichhasacurrentbudgetofapproximately$3million,and,despiteitsstatedgoaloffundingcriticaldrinkingandwastewaterinfrastructure,wouldalsoeliminateaprogramofinfrastructuregrantstotheBorderarea(forwhichtheFY2016levelwas$10million).The2,000-mileborderbetweentheUnitedStatesandMexicofaceshighpovertyrates,accountingforthreeofthetenpoorestcountiesintheU.S.,Twenty-oneofthebordercountieshavebeendesignatedaseconomicallydistressedareas,andtheborderregionhasanunemploymentrate250-300percenthigherthantherestoftheUnitedStates.MorethanhalfthepeopleintheborderregionliveintheU.S.,andover430thousandofthe14millionpeopleintheregionlivein1,200colonias,whichareunincorporatedcommunitiescharacterizedbysubstandardhousingandunsafedrinkingwater.AsignificantnumberofresidentsalongtheU.S.-Mexicoborderareaarewithoutbasicservicessuchaspotablewaterandwastewatertreatmentandtheproblemwasbecomingprogressivelyworsebeforetheborderprogramwasestablished.Theareaisrapidlygrowing,whichputsadditionalstressontheenvironmentonbothsidesoftheborder,and,ofcourse,environmentalproblemsononesideofthebordercancauseseriousharmontheotherside.


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Border2020Theborderprogram,called“Border2020”,aimstocooperativelyimproveenvironmentalconditionsonbothsidesoftheborder,recognizingtheseriousenvironmentalproblemsfacingtheborderarea.90Becauseenvironmentalproblemsdonotrespectinternationalboundaries,addressingproblemsontheU.S.sideofthebordermayrequireactionsinMexico.Theprogramaimedatprotectingunderservedcommunitiesandsensitivepopulations,onbothsidesoftheborderbyworkingtowardfivespecificgoals:reducingairpollution;improvingaccesstocleanandsafewater;promotingmaterialsmanagement,wastemanagement,andcleansites;enhancingjointpreparednessforenvironmentalresponse;andenhancingcomplianceassuranceandenvironmentalstewardship.Consequences:Someborderarearesidentssufferhealthproblemsthatmaybecloselylinkedtopoorairandwaterquality,impropermanagementofpesticides,andillegalorinadequatedisposalofsolidandhazardouswaste.Theelderlyandchildrenareespeciallyatrisk.Tribalcommunities,indigenouscommunitiesandtheresidentsofsettlementslackinginfrastructurearealsoatconsiderablerisk,astheyaremorelikelytohaveinadequatewatersupplyandtreatmentsystems,andtolackmechanismsforthepropermanagementofsolidandhazardouswaste.TheBorderProgramdevelopedcooperativemeasurestoaddresssuchproblems.Forexample,theU.S.andMexicohavebeenpursuingthegoalofcleanairfortheborderareabyworkingcooperativelytoreduceairpollutioninbothcountriesthroughawiderangeofmeasurestoreducevehicleemissions.Theprogramalsofocusedonprogresstowardattainmentofnationalambientairqualitystandardsintransboundaryairsheds,includingareaswherepoorairqualityinMexicomaymakeattainmentdifficultintheU.S.:SanDiego/Tijuana,ImperialCounty/Mexicali,AmbosNogales,andPasodelNorte(ElPaso/Juarez/SunlandPark)andonmaintainingeffectiveairmonitoringnetworksandprovidingreal-timeaccesstoairqualitydataintransboundaryairsheds.EliminatingfundstosupporttheseeffortswillmakeitdifficultforcitiesontheU.S.sideofthebordertoaddresstheirairqualityproblemsormeetairqualitystandards.Transboundarywaterqualityimpairmentsthatthreatenhumanhealthandcannotbeaddressedsolelythroughincreasedwastewatertreatmentandinfrastructurearecommonthroughouttheborderregion.UndertheBorderProgram,theU.S.andMexicohadbeenpursuingcleanwaterbyfocusingonspecificpollutantsinhighprioritywaterbodiesandwatersheds,pollutionprevention,urbanplanningandstormwater-controlbestmanagementpracticesonbothsidesoftheborder.TheProgramalsohelpeddrinkingwaterandwastewaterutilitiesimplementsustainableinfrastructurepracticestoreduceoperatingcosts,improveenergyefficiency,usewaterefficiently,andadapttoclimatechange;worktoreducesurfacewatercontaminationintransboundarywaterbodiesandwatersheds;andprovidethepublicwithtimelyaccesstowaterqualitydata.EliminatingborderfundingwillsetbacktheseeffortstoprotecttheenvironmentintheU.S.BorderinfrastructuregrantsInfrastructureGrantsareusedtofundplanning,design,andconstructionofhigh-prioritywaterand90Seehttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/border2020-factsheet_0.pdf;https://www.epa.gov/border2020/what-border-2020;https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/border2020summary_0.pdf


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wastewatertreatmentfacilitiesforunderservedcommunitiesalongthebordertoreduceexposuretorawsewageanddrinkingwatercontaminants.Tobeeligibleforfunding,allprojects,whetherintheU.S.orMexico,mustdemonstratethattheywillprovideapositivepublichealthand/orenvironmentalbenefittotheUnitedStates.91Consequences:Thecloseproximityandinterminglingofbordercommunitieswithpoorqualitydrinkingwaterandsanitationposesaseriousriskofdiseasetransmission.UntreatedsewageflowingnorthintotheU.S.fromMexicocanpolluteimportantU.S.andsharedwaterbodies.TheU.S.andMexicangovernmentshavecollaboratedonwaterinfrastructureprojectsthathavereducedhealthriskstoresidents,includingsensitivepopulationsofchildrenandelders,manyofwhomhavelackedaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandsanitation.WastewaterprojectsinMexicoeligibleforfundinghaveaddressedsewagethatwouldotherwisecontaminateaU.S.waterbodybecauseitiseasiertopreventcontaminationthantocleanupawaterbodyafterithasbecomecontaminated.ThisapproachbenefitedtheU.S.byimprovingthequalityofU.S.waterbodiesandsharedwatersandreducinghealthrisktotheU.S.population.EPAinvestmentsinwastewaterprojectshaveprotectedpublichealthfromwaterbornediseasesandhavebeenakeyfactorinsignificantwaterqualityimprovementsinU.S.waterbodies.InboththeNewRiver(California)andthemiddleRioGrande(NewMexico),forexample,fecalcoliformlevelshavedroppedbyover80percentduetoconstructionofjointly-fundedwastewatertreatmentplantsbuiltinMexicaliandOjinaga,Mexico,respectively.CaliforniabeachesintheborderregionthatwereonceclosedthroughouttheyearduetowastewaterpollutionfromMexiconowremainopenthroughoutthesummer,reducinghealthriskstobeachgoersandprovidinganeconomicbenefitforlocalgovernments.TheSantaCruz(Arizona)Rivernowsupportsahealthyfishpopulationwhereafewyearsagoonlybloodwormsthrived.GrantsforTribalEnvironmentalProgramsAsdiscussedinSectionIII,theproposedbudgetreducesfundingforcategoricalgrantstostatesandtribesbyroughly45%.Acloserlookattheimpactofthesecutsontribalprogramsisimportantbecause,liketheotherprogramsdiscussedhere,theyprimarilyservedisadvantagedcommunities.ThebulkofcategoricalfinancialassistancetotribesisthroughtheIndianEnvironmentalGeneralAssistanceProgram(GAP),whichprovidesgrantstohelptribesdevelopthecapacitytooperateenvironmentalprotectionprograms,andTribalAirQualityManagementGrants.Together,thesegrantprogramshaveacurrentbudgetofapproximately$78million.9291Forfurtherinformationsee:https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-02/documents/epa_fy_2016_congressional_justification.pdfat838-841;https://www.epa.gov/border2020/water-policy-forum;http://kpbs.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/2012/12/18/English-GNEB-15th-Report.pdf;https://www.epa.gov/border2020;https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/us_mexico_border-annual_report_2014.pdf;https://www.epa.gov/small-and-rural-wastewater-systems/us-mexico-border-water-infrastructure-grant-program92Seehttp://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/6.pdf;https://www.epa.gov/tribal;http://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1234&context=sjsj


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Consequences:AccordingtoU.S.governmentfigures,theratesofpovertyandunemploymentamongNativeAmericansarethehighestofanyethnicgroupintheU.S.,whilepercapitaincome,education,homeownership,andsimilarindicesareamongthelowest.A1999studyreportedthatsome90,000NativeAmericanfamilieswerehomelessorlivinginsubstandardhousingandthatoneoutoffiveIndianhomeslackedplumbing.WhilethereisagenerallackofcomprehensivehealthcaredataonTribesandtheirmembers,somereportedstatisticssuggestanalarmingdisparityinthehealthstatusofAI/ANscomparedtothegeneralpopulationintheUnitedStates,withmuchhigherdeathratesfordiabetesmellitus,tuberculosis,pneumoniaandinfluenza.Mosttribeshavenotdevelopedandimplementstrongregulatoryschemesfortheprotectionoftheenvironment,andlacktheresourcestodoso.TheGAPprogramprovidesfundingandtechnicalassistancetotribestocovercostsofplanning,developing,andestablishingTribalenvironmentalprotectionprogramstoprotectreservationenvironments.GAPcurrentlysupportsTribalcapacitythroughfinancialassistancetomorethan520IndianTribalgovernmentsandintertribalconsortia.GAPhashelpedtribesreceive95programdelegations,approvals,andprimaciesfortribestoadministeravarietyofprogramsacrossanumberofstatutes,includingtheCleanWaterAct,SafeDrinkingWaterAct,andtheCleanAirAct.TribesalsohaveusedGAPfundstobuildtheircapacitytoassisttheEPAinimplementingfederalenvironmentalprogramsintheabsenceofanEPAapprovedTribalprogram.AsofFY2014,24tribeshadactiveagreementstoworkinsupportoftheEPA’sdirectimplementationactivities.Similarly,theEPAalsohasbeenabletocertifyTribalinspectorsforvariousfederalcomplianceprograms.GAPalsosupportedtribeswiththedevelopmentoftheirwastemanagementprogramswithover147tribeshavingestablishedIntegratedWasteManagementPlans.Othergrantsprovidefundingfortribestoimplementfederalenvironmentalprogramsonreservationsinmuchthesamewayasstateenvironmentalagenciesdoelsewhere.Forexample,tribescanuseassistancefortribalairqualitymanagementtodevelopandimplementairpollutioncontrolprogramsforIndiancountrytopreventandaddressairqualityconcerns.Foragenciesthatarestilldevelopingstrongprograms,a45%dropinthisassistancewouldbecripplingtothetribes’abilitytoprotecttheenvironmentinIndiancountryandthevulnerableandoverburdenedcommunitieswholivethere.


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IX.EnforcementCutatCostofMorePollutionandLessAccountability

ThesuccessofeffortsintheU.S.toimprovethepublic’shealththroughcleanair,cleanwater,andlimitsonexposuretoavarietyofhazardousmaterialsisoftencontrastedwiththedismalstateofairandwaterinBeijing.Thehazardouslevelsoffineparticulatesintheairandthefactthatnobodycansafelydrinkthewaterareasmuchormoreafailuretoenforceexistinglawsasafailuretopassmoreeffectiveenvironmentalprotectionlaws.TheTrumpAdministration’sBudgetBlueprintproposesa24%cuttoEPA’senforcementbudget.ThePassbackindicatesthatreductionsmayrangefrom13%incompliancemonitoringfunctionstoacompleteeliminationoftheSuperfundFederalFacilityEnforcementprogram.ThesecutswouldcomeontopofpastreductionsbyCongresswhichhavealreadyshrunkthesizeofEPA’senforcementoffice.Theimpactoftheproposedbudgetcutstoenforcementoverallisevengreaterwhenthereductionsinstatecategoricalgrantsfortheair,waterandotherprogramsaretakenintoaccount,asthosegrantssupportstateenforcement.Whyisenforcementimportant?Understandingtheimplicationsofthesebudgetcutsrequiresanunderstandingoftheimportanceofenforcement,andwhyanEPAenforcementprogramiscritical,evenwhenstatescarryoutmanyfederalenvironmentalprograms.Manywouldliketothinkthattoday’senlightenedcorporateculturedemandsthatcompaniessubjecttolawsthatprotectthepublicfrompollutionwillcomplywiththoselaws.TherecentscandalinvolvingVolkswagen,however,isaclearsignthat’snotalwaystrueandthattheremustbeastrongwatchdog.Thetemptationtopadthebottomline,togainacompetitiveadvantage,ortoavoidinvestmentthatonlyreturnshealthbenefits,notprofits,isastrongmotivatortopeopleupanddownthecorporatechaintoviolateenvironmentallaws,especiallyiftheythinktheywillgetawaywithit.WhyisEPAenforcementimportant?EPAenforcesthelawsandregulationsthatcontrolpollutionunderallthemajorfederalenvironmentallaws.Inmanycases,EPAsharesenforcementresponsibilitywithstateorlocalagencies.Underthisstructure,whilestatescarryoutthemajorityofenforcementcases,EPAservesasabackstoptohelpensurethatthereisalevelplayingfieldonanationalscale.EPAalsocanalsoprovidetechnicalandlegalexpertise,especiallywhensmallerstateorlocalagenciesareoverwhelmedbywellfinanced,multi-nationalcompanies.EPA,becauseofitsnationalscope,candiscerntrendsandproblemareasacrossindustrysectors,andcaninvestigateandtakeactionacrossStatelines.Forexample,themillionsoftonsofpollutionreduced,viaEPA’spowerplantenforcementinitiative,fromcoal-firedpowerplants,ownedbyafewdozen,mostlymulti-statecompanies,wouldhavebeendifficultorimpossibleforanysinglestatetoachieve.StatesoftenjoinEPAinpursuingthesecases.Inmanyothercases,EPAistheonlygovernmententitywiththelegalabilitytoenforcethelaw.Forexample,withoutEPA’senforcement,companiescouldavoidreporting,orminimizethereportedamountoftoxicmaterialsreleasedtotheenvironment(suchreportingisrequiredbythePollutionPreventionAct).Manytribesdon’thavethecapacitytoenforceenvironmentallaws,so,again,EPA


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mustengageinthewholegamutofenforcementactivities,fromcomplianceassistance,toinspection,toassessingfinesforviolations.WhatlawsdoesEPAenforce?EPAcurrentlyspendssignificantresourcesenforcingthefollowingstatutes:CleanAirActCleanWaterActSafeDrinkingWaterActSuperfund(CERCLA)ResourceConservationandRecoveryActEPAalsoenforcesanumberofotherlaws,includingtheEmergencyPlanningandCommunityRighttoKnowAct,theToxicSubstancesControlAct,theFederalInsecticide,Fungicide,andRodenticideAct,andtheOilPollutionAct.WhatresultshaveEPA’senforcementachieved?

• UndertheCleanAirAct,Volkswagenagreedtopay$4.3billionincivilandcriminalpenaltiesforsellingabout590,000vehiclesthatemittedillegalamountsofsmog-causingNOx.Volkswagenwillalsoinvest$4.7billioninactivitiestoreduceemissions,and$10billiontotakepollutingcarsofftheroad.93

• UndertheCleanWaterActandtheOilPollutionAct,BPagreedtopayover$14billion,mostofwhichwillgotorestoretheenvironmentandcommunitiesinGulfstates,forviolationscausedbytheDeepwaterHorizonexplosion.94

• DukeEnergypledguiltytocriminalviolationsoftheCleanWaterActforactionsthatincludedthemassivespillofcoalashintotheDanRiver,adrinkingwatersource,inNorthCarolina.Dukepaid$102million,whichincludeda$68millioncriminalfineand$34millionforenvironmentalrestoration.95

• UndertheSuperfundlaw,GEagreedin2005tocleanupPCBcontaminationitcausedoftheHudsonriverandreimbursethegovernmentformillionsofdollarsincleanup-relatedcostspaidbytaxpayers.GEalsohasalsopaidcontinuingcostsofinvestigationandremediationofHudsonRiverContamination,includingafurther$20.5millionin2014.96

• Incertaincasesinvolvingcriminalbehavior,theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ),withEPAsupport,bringscriminalcasesagainstviolatorsofenvironmentlaws.DOJhasfiledcriminalchargesagainstsomeVolkswagenofficialsresponsiblefordesigningasystemtomisleadregulatorsandconsumers.97EPA

93https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/volkswagen-clean-air-act-civil-settlement94https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/deepwater-horizon-bp-gulf-mexico-oil-spill95https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/duke-energy-subsidiaries-plead-guilty-and-sentenced-pay-102-million-clean-water-act-crimes96https://www3.epa.gov/hudson/consent_decree/2005factsheet.htm97https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/business/volkswagen-diesel-vw-settlement-charges-criminal.html


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helpedDOJsuccessfullyprosecutepeoplefromcompaniesthatfraudulentlyclaimedtomakerenewablefuelsandsoldworthlesscreditsforthat“fuel.”98Whatwouldthesebudgetcutsdotoenforcement?ProposedreductionsinEPA’senforcementbudgetwouldseverelyimpacttheefficacyofU.S.publiclawsthatprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment.Withfewer“copsonthebeat,”civilandcriminalviolationswillincrease.IfthecivilenforcementbudgetisslashedacrosstheboardthatwillsignificantlyreduceEPA'sabilitytoenforcethelaw.Withfewerinspectors,complianceofficers,andattorneystrainedinenforcement,EPAwillbelimitedinitsabilitytomonitorcomplianceandbringnecessaryenforcementactionsagainstpolluters.Withoutaviablethreatofenforcement,withtheassociatedpenaltiesandbadpublicity,eventhebestcompanieswillbetemptedtoreducetheirfundingforenvironmentalcompliance.Infact,well-runcompaniesbenefitfromEPA’senforcementprogrambecauseitkeepstheplayingfieldlevel.Companiesthatcomplywillbeputatadisadvantageiftheircompetitorsdonotcomplyandnooneistheretoenforce.

ThePassback’sproposed20%reductionincriminalenforcementisespeciallytroublingbecausecriminalliabilityiswhatprovidesthegreatestdisincentivetothoseinclinedtodisobeythelaw,andaddressesthemostseriouscases.Ifpotentialviolatorsknowthattherearefewercopsonthebeat,theywillbecomemorebrazen.Whilecivilfinesareanirritanttoabigcompany,criminalfinesandincarcerationareaknown,substantialdeterrent.

EquallytroublingisthePassback’sproposedreductionincompliancemonitoring.MuchofwhatEPAdoesismonitorcomplianceandmakethisinformationavailabletothepublicsoresidentscanfindoutwhatishappeningintheircommunities.99Iftheproposedbudgetcutstakeeffect,thiswilllikelyreducetheamountofinformationEPAcancollectandmakepublic.

ItislikelythattheTrumpAdministrationwillarguethatEPA’senforcementprogramisunnecessarilylargebecauseitoverlapsorintrudesontheeffortsofthestates(andsometribes)whichhaveassumedresponsibilityforenforcementofmanyenvironmentallaws.Asdiscussedabove,statesoftenjoinEPAinitsenforcementactionsandEPAhasabilitiesthatstatesdonot.Moreover,whiletheAdministrationproposestoshiftmoreenforcementresponsibilitiestothestates,italsocallsforsignificantreductionsinthegrantsthatfundthosestateefforts.Inshort,theTrumpAdministration’sproposedcutstoEPA’senforcementbudgetareunwarrantedandwouldsubstantiallydialbacktheprogressournationhasmadesincetheearly1970swhenPresidentNixonsignedmanyofthefederalenvironmentallawsthathaveprotectedAmericansformorethanfourdecadesandthatmaketheU.S.oneofthecleanestindustrializedcountriesintheworld.

98https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owners-biofuel-company-plead-guilty-conspiracy-and-fraud-charges99https://echo.epa.gov/


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APPENDIX

PARTIALLISTOFPROGRAMSPROPOSEDFORELIMINATIONBYTHEADMINISTRATION

(BasedonBudgetBlueprintandOMBPassbackDocument)Climate-RelatedVoluntaryPartnershipProgramsThePassbackstatesthat14programswillbeeliminated;onlytwoareidentifiedintheBudgetBlueprint:DieselEmissionsReductionProgramgrants(DERA),andEnergyStar(whichistobeprivatized). Theothersarenotnamed,butamongthecurrentvoluntaryclimateprogramsare:

• Agstar• CoalbedMethaneOutreachProgram• CombinedHeatandPower• GreenPowerPartnership• GreenChill• GreenVehicleGuide• HighGlobalWarmingPotentialVoluntaryPrograms• ResponsibleApplianceDisposal• Smartway

GeographicprogramsChesapeakeBayProgramGreatLakesRestorationInitiative GulfofMexicoProgramLakeChamplainProgramLongIslandSoundProgramPugetSoundProgramSanFranciscoBayProgramSouthFloridaProgram

StategrantprogramsMultipurposegrantsTargetedairsheds U.S.-MexicobordertargetedwatershedBeachwaterqualitytestingRadonBrownfieldsprojectgrants

OtherprogramsAlaskaNativeVillagesE-ManifestE-EnterpriseEndocrineDisruptorScreening Environmentaleducation(largelydefunded,zerostaff)Environmentaljustice(largelydefunded,zerostaff)

Otherprograms(continued)FederalFacilitiesEnforcementOfficeIndoorAirRadonProgramSmallminoritybusinessassistanceU.S.-MexicoBorderU.S.-MexicoWaterInfrastructureGrantsWaterSense

the environmental protection network · 3/22/2017 · the backdrop to the proposed cuts is the...

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