Chellie Pingree (D.ME), Chair of Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, made the following remarks at the Subcommittee.Budget Request for Environmental Protection Agency, Fiscal Year FY2023
Today, the Interior-Environment Subcommittee is going to examine President’s budget request for 2023 for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, is joining us this morning. Faisal Amin, Chief Financial Officer, is also with him. It is great to see you again Mr. Administrator, and welcome Mr. Amin.
Before we get started, I want you to thank each other for your partnership in the completion the fiscal 2022 bill. I look forward working with you again when we begin our work the fiscal 2023 bill. Administrator Regan: I want to thank your visit to Saco in the past few months. I appreciate your insight and willingness to help, not only with Maine’s PFAS problems but also across the country.
The President requests $11.9 billion for EPA in fiscal year 2023. This is a $2.3 billion increase on the enacted level.
The EPA also released its strategic plan, which included seven clear and ambitious goals. This plan contains a goal that is solely focused on addressing climate change. It’s the first time this has been done. It also includes an unprecedented goal of advancing environmental justice, civil rights. I salute you for tackling these critical issues and look forward supporting you in your efforts.
I hope to have the opportunity to discuss with you how this request can support your primary mission to protect the environment and human health.
The following are some highlights of the budget request:
- After years of decline, the staffing levels have risen to their highest level in more than a decade.
- Strong funding for the EPAs science, technology, and environmental programs will help address the climate crisis.
- We must take decisive action to address environmental justice, civil rights, and other issues so that we can make real progress in communities that have been historically underserved or overburdened.
- To fix our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and address the current public health problems, we will use the funding from the American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
I believe that the EPA’s mission can be achieved when it has all the resources and staff it needs. The EPA received the second largest increase in its budget in more than a decade with our fiscal year 2022 bill. We also provided $100 million for environmental justice. This is the largest increase that the program has seen in 50 years.
The President’s request builds on our successes in fiscal year 2022, and I look forward working closely with President Biden and the Administrator to achieve our shared vision of a safer, more prosperous and more just country.
I would now like my friend, Mr. Joyce (ranking member of the subcommittee), to make any opening remarks.
