EPA Budget Cuts Could Mean Less Funding to States, Beach Protection, and Superfund Site Clean-up

While more research dollars are proposed to look at potential public health and environmental risks of fracking, Obama’s budget proposal for FY 2013 has been reduced by 1.2 percent, or $105 million dollars. From the EPA’s breakdown, here’s a list of cuts.

The FY 2013 President’s Budget eliminates a number of programs totaling $50 million including: the Clean Automotive Technology Program; Beaches Protection categorical grants; Environmental Education; State Indoor Radon Grants; the Support to Other Federal Agencies program within Superfund; and the Fibers program.

The budget will slash more than $37 million from the Superfund program, reducing the number of sites investigated and remediated by the agency. The Washington Post has more on the reductions:

“The $8.3 billion funding request represents a $105 million cut below EPA’s 2012 enacted level. In it, the White House slashed funding for the Superfund Remedial Program by $33 million but pledged to provide the money “necessary for EPA to be prepared to respond to emergency releases of hazardous substances and circumstances that place the public at imminent risk of exposure and harm.”

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