With President Trump’s dirty budget proposal aiming to reduce the EPA by almost a third, the largest reduction across all other federal agencies, this 31 percent cut, or $2.8 billion, makes it even clearer that this administration will put the needs of its allies in the polluter industry above the health of the public.
While President Trump continues to ignore the public health and economic crisis posed by climate change, this cut to EPA funds will further decrease the agency’s ability for enforcement capacity, severely undermine lifesaving health protections, and will nearly dissolve groundbreaking clean energy research programs.
The majority of Americans want a fully funded EPA that is strong and capable, one that can recognize the needs of the public and perform its job of protecting our health and environment.
Community members across the country recognize, and want, clean energy solutions, and with states, cities and businesses actively moving forward to transition into clean energy to do their part in protecting public health and grow the economy, it is an encouraging move for our future in the absence of federal leadership.
It is time for this administration to join together in these efforts and do its part in protecting the health and well-being of our nation, which is a job they were elected to perform, not using their power to protect the interests of corporations.
MARIE NARDINO
Andover