"Oil And Gas: Trump's Budget Would Erase USGS Impact Research"

"The Trump administration is seeking to zero out federal funding on the environmental effects of oil and gas development.

A detailed breakdown of this week's White House budget proposal shows that the U.S. Geological Survey would receive no money for its environmental health mission area in fiscal 2019. The division is part of USGS's broader energy and mineral resources mission area, which dodged cuts inflicted by a 20 percent reduction across the agency.

USGS's scientific functions would absorb the brunt of the blow (Climatewire, Feb. 13).

Environmental health programs would disappear in favor of "higher priorities," according to the agency's budget justification. The proposal would wipe out $21 million in funding and 119 full-time positions."

Pamela King reports for EnergyWire February 16, 2018.