Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democrats, led by Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, are advancing responsible funding plans for the critical agencies of government that protect our clean air, clean water, and public health. That includes important increases for essential programs under the Interior-Environment and Energy & Water Development funding bills.
In a major victory for the environment & public health, these bills also strip out a series of toxic riders which polluters and their allies in Congress have previously forced in, including those attacking the Sage Grouse & Grey Wolf, falsifying the carbon neutrality of biomass, allowing lead in ammunition & fishing tackle, and exempting incinerators in Alaska from toxics safeguards.
Some Highlights from House Democrats Priorities:
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EPA: The bill provides a total of $9.52 billion in for EPA – $672 million above the 2019 enacted level and $3.42 billion above the President’s budget request
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Environmental justice work: The bill includes $10.2 million overall, a 47% increase above the 2019 enacted level nearly four-fold increase above the President’s budget request.
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PFAS. $18 million in additional funding for scientific and regulatory work on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) needed to establish a drinking water standard and cleanup standards. This level of funding more than doubles current levels for this work.
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ARPA-E. The bill provides $425 million, an increase of $59 million above the fiscal year 2019 level and rejects the budget proposal to eliminate the program. This funding supports research aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that are capable of significantly changing the energy sector to address our critical economic, environmental, and energy security challenges.
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Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. $3.11 billion overall, an increase of $345 million above the 2019 enacted level and $1.13 billion above the President’s budget request.
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National Park Service. $3.39 billion for National Park Service, $168 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $649 million above the President’s budget request.
In Response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement:
“While President Trump endangers our families with another dirty budget that continues his assault on protections for clean air, drinking water, our national parks, and tackling the climate crisis, House Democrats are leading the way forward with a plan that restores funding for critical environmental and public health programs. Â
“The Sierra Club thanks Congresswomen Nita Lowey, Betty McCollum & Marcy Kaptur for their leadership, and for investing in our nation’s future and welfare.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.