Appropriations Deal Ignores Trump Calls For Deep Energy, Enviro Cuts

"Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan deal last night to fund the government through the rest of the year that avoids steep cuts for U.S. EPA and renewable energy programs sought by the Trump administration.

The bill would also provide a long-sought, permanent fix to guarantee health care benefits for retired union coal miners and their widows. It does not contain many of the policy riders sought by Republicans to ease environmental regulations.

Lawmakers need to approve the $1.017 trillion deal by the end of the week and avoid a federal shutdown when current, stopgap funding expires late Friday. The legislation would provide funds for the final five months of the fiscal year, which runs through Sept. 30. ...

EPA would receive $8.06 billion for fiscal 2017, a cut of less than $100 million, or a 1 percent reduction, below current funding. EPA staffing would be capped at 15,000 workers."

George Cahlink reports for E&E Daily May 1, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"EPA, Clean Energy Spared Trump's Ax in $1.1 Trillion Budget Deal" (Bloomberg)

"Ohio Senator: Miners Won 'Huge Victory' In Spending Bill" (The Hill)

"Climate, Environmental Programs Left Mostly Untouched In Budget Deal" (Think Progress)

"Science Wins Reprieve in US Budget Deal" (Nature)

"How Science Fares In The U.S. Budget Deal" (Science)

"Science Funding Spared Under Congressional Budget Deal, But More Battles Ahead" (Washington Post)

"Congressional Spending Compromise Contains $2 Billion Funding Increase for National Institutes of Health" (Bethesda Beat)