Today, President Joe Biden released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2023. Following the announcement, Earthjustice Vice President of Legislation Marty Hayden issued the following statement:  

“As our communities face the horrific impacts of decades of continuous pollution and the worsening climate crisis, it’s time that the federal agencies tasked with mitigating these intertwined crises are adequately funded. The President’s Budget includes significant and overdue funding increases for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and in energy efficiency and renewable energy at the Department of Energy. It provides much-needed increases in staffing levels at these agencies and critical funding to finalize strong regulatory actions that will provide cleaner air and safer water in underserved communities. It also includes investments in clean energy technologies to facilitate the clean energy transition that we desperately need to help create new jobs and lower energy costs for families. The budget also recognizes that taxpayers should no longer be footing the bill for the fossil fuel industry by repealing important fossil fuel subsidies.  

“We urge Congress to take the President’s funding request seriously and include many of these proposed investments in conservation, environmental justice, and climate into the final appropriations bills. As our country grapples with climate change and a biodiversity crisis while communities across the country breathe toxic air and drink poisoned water, we need strong investments that look after the long-term health and well-being of our country.”