New York Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman, earlier this week highlighted the disastrous impacts President Trump’s proposed budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could have across New York State, A.G. office said in its announcement.
Standing along the Gowanus Canal, which is a designated federal Superfund site, Attorney General Schneiderman highlighted how the significant loss of EPA funding and reduction in the agency’s staffing levels would potentially slow, halt, or even reverse environmental protection throughout the state.
Under President Trump’s proposed budget “blueprint” released last Thursday, the EPA would face some of the steepest cuts, as funding for the agency would be reduced by 31 percent or $2.6 billion – bringing the EPA’s budget to $5.7 billion, its lowest level in 40 years when adjusted for inflation and eliminating more than 50 programs and 3,200 jobs, the release said.
“President Trump’s proposed budget cuts would have a devastating impact on New York – delaying and obstructing environmental projects around the state,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.
“Decades of hard work have helped clean up New York’s air, water and environment. But President Trump’s budget threatens to unravel those gains and send us back to the bad old days of choking smog and rampant pollution. As we’ve made clear: if the Trump administration won’t meet its legal obligations to ensure basic access to a clean, safe and healthy environment, we won’t hesitate to act to protect New Yorkers.”
“President Trump’s complete disregard for our environment, safety, and futures are evident in his egregious proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency,” said Council Member, Brad Lander, from District 39.
“The EPA’s Gowanus Superfund cleanup will dredge toxic sludge, reduce combined sewer overflows and restore habitat in the Gowanus Canal. We have the opportunity to move from a tarnished legacy of two centuries of industrial pollution, to a community that reduces its impact on the planet.”
Earlier this month, Attorney General Schneiderman sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, highlighting the impact of reported EPA budget cuts.
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