"Trump’s ‘Scorched Earth’ EPA Budget Draws Swift Reactions"

"No agency in the federal government fared worse under Thursday’s proposed budget than the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Trump administration would slash the EPA’s budget by 31 percent, cut 3,200 of its 15,000 workers, cut funding for climate change research and Superfund cleanup and scrap more than 50 programs altogether. Among them: efforts aimed at improving energy efficiency, helping cities fight air pollution, funding infrastructure projects in Native American communities, and cleaning up the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. Although Congress would have to approve any such cuts, Trump’s proposed kneecapping of the EPA drew swift, impassioned reactions on Thursday.

“Literally and figuratively, this is a scorched earth budget that represents an all out assault on clean air, water, and land,” Gina McCarthy, who served as EPA administrator during the final years of the Obama administration, said in a statement. “You can’t put ‘America First’ when you put the health of its people and its country last.”

The reaction from environmental advocacy groups ranged from angry to horrified."

Brady Dennis reports for the Washington Post March 16, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Polluters Could ‘More Easily’ Commit Crimes Under Cuts" (Climate Central)

"Donald Trump Budget Slashes Funds for E.P.A. and State Department" (New York Times)

"EPA Hit Hardest As Trump Budget Targets Regulations" (Reuters)

"Trump EPA Cuts Could Have Even Bigger Trickle-Down Impact on Pa., N.J." (Philadelphia Inquirer)

"Trump’s Budget Guts the EPA and Help for Poor Seniors. It’s a Perfect Symbol of His Administration." (Slate)

"Puget Sound Hits Bottom in Trump EPA Budget Proposal: Zero" (KUOW)

"Trump's EPA Cuts Threaten Programs That Clean Up Chicago, Great Lakes" (Chicago Tribune)

"Trump Budget Cuts Funding For EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program" (AP)

"With E.P.A. Cuts, States Would Lose Help in Emergencies" (New York Times)

"Trump Bid To Axe Bay Restoration Funding Draws Fire" (Bay Journal)

Source: Washington Post, 03/17/2017