Most States Have Cut Environmental Budgets, Staffing Since 2008: Study

"WASHINGTON - Most U.S. states have cut funding and staffing at their environmental agencies over the past decade, according to a study by a green advocacy group, raising questions about the Trump administration’s policy to shift more enforcement of federal environmental laws to states.

The report by the Environmental Integrity Project released on Thursday showed some 30 states have reduced funding for pollution control programs, 16 of them by more than 20%. Forty states, meanwhile, have cut staffing at environmental agencies, half of them by at least 10%, the report showed.

The study marks the latest in a three-year campaign by environmental groups, conservationists, and progressive lawmakers to fight President Donald Trump’s efforts to roll back federal regulations and oversight to ease the way for business."

Valerie Volcovici reports for Reuters December 5, 2019.

Source: Reuters, 12/06/2019