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States Slash Budgets, Threaten Environmental Protection
13 Dec
Summary
- Over half of states cut environmental budgets in the last 15 years.
- Many states reduced staff, leading to fewer inspectors and slower responses.
- Environmental enforcement by states and the federal government has declined.
Over the past 15 years, more than half of U.S. states have slashed environmental budgets, adjusted for inflation, and reduced staff. This trend has led to fewer environmental inspectors, slower responses to incidents like chemical spills, and weaker enforcement of drinking water permits in many communities. The Environmental Integrity Project's report highlights how these cutbacks increase the risk of exposure to industrial pollution.
Concurrent with the federal government's environmental enforcement reaching historic lows, many states are also scaling back. States with growing industries, such as Texas and Louisiana, have seen substantial budget decreases in their environmental agencies. This situation is compounded by federal proposals to ease pollution standards and reduce EPA staff, potentially impacting the agency's ability to fulfill its mission.
While some states like California and Colorado have increased environmental funding, pollution does not adhere to state lines. Emissions from one state can affect air quality in another, and polluted waterways can spread contaminants across vast distances. Experts attribute the declining enforcement trend to dwindling resources and shifting political priorities, raising concerns about future environmental oversight.
