The Obama administration’s proposed for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the largest in the agency’s 39-year history.
The increase of $3 billion from 2008 funding levels will further ensure the protection of public health and the environment, according to an EPA release.
Some key highlights of the of $10.5 billion budget for 2010 include:
- $3.9 billion for state revolving funds supporting 1,000 clean water and 700 drinking water projects.
- A new $475 million, multi-agency Great Lakes Initiative to protect the world’s largest fresh water resource. EPA will coordinate with federal partners, states, tribes, localities and other entities to protect, maintain and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the lakes. EPA and its partners will address invasive species, non-point source pollution, habitat restoration, contaminated sediment and other critical issues.
- A $19 million increase for the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and related activities that will provide data critical for implementing a comprehensive climate change bill. EPA’s funding for climate change investments is the foundation for working with key stakeholders and Congress to develop an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions approximately 83% below 2005 levels by 2050.
- Strengthening EPA’s core research, enforcement and regulatory capabilities. The budget request also proposes reinstating the Superfund excise taxes that expired. Reinstating the Superfund taxes would collect over $1 billion annually to fund the cleanup of the nation’s most contaminated sites.
“The president’s budget proposes critical resources to protect the
American people and the places where they live, work and play,” said
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We are no longer faced with the
false choice of a strong economy or a clean environment. The
president’s budget shows that making critical and responsible
investments in protecting the health and environment of all Americans
will also lead to a more vibrant and stable economy. With these
proposed resources, and the president’s strong environmental agenda, it
should be overwhelmingly clear that EPA is back on the job.”
More information on the EPA’s 2010 budget is available at the link below.
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