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yesterday

New Report Flags Widespread State Pollution-Control Cutbacks as White House Seeks 55% EPA Reduction

Advocates warn that federal retrenchment would strain already weakened state enforcement.

An alligator suns itself on the riverbank during a pontoon boat tour through Wekiva Wild River Tours, which depart daily from Wekiva Island in Longwood, on Dec. 20, 2024. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Dr. Loren Hopkins, chief environmental science officer for the city of Houston, left, and Earthea Nance, former regional administrator for the EPA, talk following a news conference announcing a nearly half million dollar grant for air monitoring on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Houston. The federal agency has since seen major cuts to its staff and grant funding, which could disproportionately impact Texas. 
The Exxon Mobil Baytown Olefins Plant burns pollutants on Jan. 24, 2023, in Baytown. 
Casey Luckett Snyder, with EPA Region 6, gives a presentation during the a meeting with the Fifth Ward community affected by creosote contamination on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Overview

  • An Environmental Integrity Project analysis reports that 27 states reduced pollution-control agency budgets over the past 15 years.
  • Illinois’ environmental agency saw an inflation-adjusted budget decline of about 21% from FY2010 to FY2024, with staffing dropping from 953 to 760 positions.
  • The White House fiscal 2026 request proposes a 55% EPA funding cut, or roughly $4.2 billion, while Congress is considering smaller reductions with a vote expected next month.
  • Seven states cut pollution-control funding by at least one-third since 2010, led by Mississippi at 71%, South Dakota at 61% and Connecticut at 51%.
  • Illinois advocates say staffing has been rebuilt to about 850 under Governor J.B. Pritzker and IEPA Director James Jennings, yet they argue resources remain insufficient as the agency relies heavily on fees and federal grants.