Las Vegas, NV – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) condemned President Trump’s budget proposal for its unprecedented cuts targeting federal environmental protection programs, efforts to address the threat of climate change, and investments for renewable energy production.
“The irreversible effects of climate change are preventable if we remain committed to science-based solutions, and yet President Trump’s budget demonstrates his continued support for Big Oil companies over the protection of our planet,” said Cortez Masto. “Without EPA protections, the air we breathe and the water we drink are at risk, and greenhouse gas emissions will continue to exacerbate the growing threat of climate change. Some of EPA’s successful grant programs, critical to the protection of Nevada’s public lands, will also receive devastating cuts. We should be working toward solutions that help us protect our environment and invest in our clean energy economy, not cutting the very programs that do just that. It is an understatement to say that the President’s proposed budget would reverse decades of progress.”
Trump’s budget proposal includes a 31 percent cut – the largest cut among all federal agencies – to the Environmental Protection Agency, an agency that is tasked to protect our health and natural resources and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. The President’s budget would also cut Department of Energy programs designed to boost investments in renewable energy, undercutting Nevada’s leadership in clean energy production. And despite overwhelming opposition from Nevadans, President Trump wants to revive the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository site that would put the health of Nevadans and state’s economy at risk.
If passed, Trump’s budget would harm Nevada’s natural resources, clean energy industry, and economy. Specifically, his budget proposal would:
- Cut Department of Energy (DOE) funding in Nevada by $ 12,410,000, eliminating 70 jobs for Nevada scientists
- Result in a loss of $29,471,000 in future economic growth in Nevada.
- Allocate $120 million for the revival of the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository site.
- Drain funds from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) special account, which aides in local infrastructure, outdoor recreation, and conservation.
- Discontinue payments to counties for geothermal leasing revenues under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that mostly benefit Nevada rural communities.
- Cut some of DOE’s programs entirely like ARPA-E, that foster renewable energy research and development and commercialization.
- Cut Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding by $2.6 billion and reduce its workforce by 3,800 jobs.
- Eliminate EPA’s energy efficiency and voluntary climate programs by a reduction of 66 million.
- Gut EPA grants that help fund State environmental program offices and activities.
- Cut National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding by $16.8 billion.