WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 12, 2018)  – “The president’s budget request released today disregards American workers, communities, and the environment by making deep cuts to programs that spur innovation, generate economic growth, create jobs, and protect the health and safety of working people on the job and in their communities.

“These funding cuts would put at risk the nation’s competitive position in the global marketplace for clean energy, advanced vehicle technologies, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the president has for the second year in a row requested cutting the funding for—or outright eliminating—key programs designed to help communities rebuild after the closings of coal mines and coal-fired power plants.

“The budget also proposes deep cuts that would significantly undermine the implementation and enforcement of laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, which for decades have protected Americans’ environment and public health.

“Congress should reject the president’s request. Instead, Congress should ensure that the government has the resources required to protect Americans on the job and in their communities, keep the nation’s iconic lands and water bodies safe from pollution, drive the innovation and cutting edge technologies spurring job growth in the clean economy, and ensure that all communities—including those facing a transition to clean energy—have the tools and resources they need to create good jobs and economic growth.”