Latest news with #ZoeLofgren
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EPA, Park Service take big hits in latest Trump budget plan
The Trump administration's more detailed budget request seeks to decimate science, staffing and other programs at multiple environment-related federal agencies. Entities ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the National Park Service (NPS) would see deep and specific cuts under the less 'skinny' version of the administration's budget that was released late Friday. The EPA sees a 35 percent cut to the payroll for its science staff and for staff who work on environmental programs and environmental management. NPS sees a 30 percent cut to its staff in charge of park system operations. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sees a 28 percent cut to its operations, research and facilities staff payroll. But it's not just staff that takes a hit. A number of offices related to energy and environmental research, as well as disaster response, are reduced or eliminated under the proposal. It completely zeroes out NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, for example, and also cuts federal assistance at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by 32 percent. Science and technology activities at the EPA would see a 33 percent cut, while environmental programs and environmental management at the agency would see an 18 percent cut. And the Energy Department would also see a 13 percent cut to its science office. The budget document also proposes to 'wind down' the department's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which was established in the Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster emerging energy technologies including hydrogen power, carbon capture, advanced nuclear reactors, and batteries. 'This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, in a written statement. 'In no way can America continue to lead if Trump continues his vendetta against the scientific enterprise. While Trump slashes budgets for American research and innovation, our adversaries, like China, are popping champagne. I will do everything I can to stand in the way of this ridiculous plan.' In previous years, a White House budget request has been taken as more of a signal of an administration's priorities than a roadmap that's likely to be realized since it's Congress, not the administration, that has the power of the purse. The Trump administration, however, has signaled that it is willing to go further to challenge that authority, already instituting massive layoffs at many agencies and gearing up for more. And White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said over the weekend that the administration would consider 'impoundment' to get its agenda across the finish line. It's not entirely clear how the budget would play out politically, as cuts to programs such as NPS have been historically unpopular. The administration's calls for cuts to FEMA have also been met with mixed reviews even within the GOP, although the budget proposal stops short of the administration's broader calls to eliminate FEMA entirely. The document released late Friday gives additional color to a less detailed 'skinny budget' previously released by the administration. The skinny budget also proposed big cuts at similar agencies. The White House has described the cuts as an effort to take on the 'Green New Scam,' saying in a fact sheet that 'President Trump is committed to eliminating funding for the globalist climate agenda while unleashing American energy production.' The previously announced document called for a 55 percent cut to the EPA's overall budget and a 31 percent cut to the Interior Department, which houses the Park Service. It also called for transferring certain national park 'properties' to the states. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
EPA, Park Service take big hits in latest Trump budget plan
The Trump administration's more detailed budget request seeks to decimate science, staffing and other programs at multiple environment-related federal agencies. Entities ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the National Park Service (NPS) would see deep and specific cuts under the less 'skinny' version of the administration's budget that was released late Friday. The EPA sees a 35 percent cut to the payroll for its science staff and for staff who work on environmental programs and environmental management. NPS sees a 30 percent cut to its staff in charge of park system operations. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sees a 28 percent cut to its operations, research and facilities staff payroll. But it's not just staff that takes a hit. A number of offices related to energy and environmental research, as well as disaster response, are reduced or eliminated under the proposal. It completely zeroes out NOAA's office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, for example, and also cuts federal assistance at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by 32 percent. Science and technology activities at the EPA would see a 33 percent cut, while environmental programs and environmental management at the agency would see an 18 percent one. And the Energy Department would also see a 13 cut to its science office. The budget document also proposes to 'wind down' the department's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which was established in the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law to to bolster emerging energy technologies including hydrogen power, carbon capture, advanced nuclear reactors, and batteries. 'This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, in a written statement. 'In no way can America continue to lead if Trump continues his vendetta against the scientific enterprise. While Trump slashes budgets for American research and innovation, our adversaries, like China, are popping champagne. I will do everything I can to stand in the way of this ridiculous plan. In previous years, a White House budget request has been taken as more of a signal of an administration's priorities than a roadmap that's likely to be realized since it's Congress, not the administration, that has the power of the purse. The Trump administration, however, has signaled that it is willing to go further to challenge that authority, already instituting massive layoffs at many agencies and gearing up for more. And White House budget director Russell Vought said over the weekend that the administration would consider ' impoundment ' to get its agenda across the finish line. It's not entirely clear how the budget would play out politically, as cuts to programs such as NPS have been historically unpopular. The administration's calls for cuts to FEMA have also been met with mixed reviews even within the GOP, though, the budget proposal stops short of the administration's broader calls to eliminate FEMA entirely. The document that was released late Friday gives additional color to a less detailed 'skinny budget' previously released by the administration. The skinny budget also proposed big cuts at similar agencies. The previously announced document called for a 55 percent cut to the EPA's overall budget and a 31 percent cut to the Interior Department, which houses the Park Service. It also called for transferring certain national park 'properties' to the states.
E&E News
28-05-2025
- General
- E&E News
Democrats demand details on the future of EPA labs
Top House Science, Space and Technology Committee Democrats are insisting that EPA leaders explain their plans for the agency's research labs while meanwhile accusing them of dishonesty. 'It is time to tell the truth,' ranking member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said in a caustically worded Tuesday letter to Administrator Lee Zeldin. Lofgren asked Zeldin whether EPA intends to close any of its 10 field laboratories and research facilities, and if so, which ones. Should any of those facilities remain open, Lofgren asked, will their budget and staffing levels increase to pick up work from those that close? And which EPA program office will run them? Advertisement Joining the California Democrat on the letter was Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), ranking member on the Science Subcommittee on the Environment.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Democrats raise alarms as National Weather Service races to fill jobs ahead of hurricane season
Vacancies at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are raising fears among current and former agency officials and Democrats that cuts to the federal workforce have left the country with too few experts to help prepare for weather disasters ahead of the looming Atlantic hurricane season. POLITICO first reported on Wednesday that NOAA posted 155 job openings at the National Weather Service, the public safety agency whose regional offices make up the nation's first line of defense for imminent storms and disasters. House Democrats on the Science, Space and Technology Committee said NOAA managers are pleading with employees in emails to pursue reassignments to fill those jobs, which in many cases would amount to demotions. 'They are frantically trying to fill the gaps,' Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the committee's top Democrat, said at an event at the Capitol. 'There appears to be a panic level on the part of the department to try and undo the damage they've done to the weather service.' Internal documents reviewed by POLITICO revealed a range of open positions, from a lead meteorologist role in Fairbanks, Alaska, to meteorologist-in-charge at the NWS office in Lake Charles, Louisiana — an area that is frequently at risk for tropical storms and hurricanes. The vacancies are mostly for meteorologists who embed in local offices scattered throughout the country and coordinate with local officials like mayors and emergency managers to provide timely information for storm preparation, helping reduce loss of life and property. NWS is also backfilling crucial roles like hydrologists and information technology specialists who help fine tune radar systems, said Tom DiLiberto, a former NOAA official who spoke at the Wednesday event. Those functions are essential for events like the hurricane season that officially begins June 1, DiLiberto said. 'We're not prepared. We're heading into hurricane season as unprepared as anytime as I can imagine,' he said. NOAA will issue its Atlantic hurricane season outlook May 22. It will come as NWS struggles to maintain 24-hour monitoring capabilities at all its offices amid staffing shortages, driven by a combination of retirements and the Trump administration's deferred resignation program and firings. Five former NWS chiefs said in an open letter earlier this month that the Trump administration's cuts could lead to 'a needless loss of life.' They said offices are so thinly staffed that some roles will have to be filled on a part-time basis. The former NWS directors said 250 employees were fired or took buyouts in February, and another 300 have since departed. Lofgren said the committee's Democrats have requested information about NWS and NOAA operations through six letters sent to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who oversees the departments — but they so far have not received any response. In the meantime, she has pressed Republicans to raise alarms about NWS staffing, since GOP-leaning districts and states in places like the Gulf Coast have often faced the biggest disasters. 'I will say this without violating any private conversations I've had with members across the aisle: there is concern,' she said in an interview. 'I haven't yet seen Republicans speak out publicly. That's something they got to figure out. Because when disaster hits, the tornado doesn't ask whether it's a red or blue area.' When asked about the significance of the vacancies, NWS spokesperson Kim Doster said the agency "continues to meet its core mission." Doster said NWS has "updated the service level standards for its weather forecast offices to manage impacts due to shifting personnel resources," but did not explain those modifications in detail. "These revised standards reflect the transformation and prioritization of mission-essential operations, while supporting the balance of the operational workload for its workforce," Doster said in a statement. Spokespeople for the Commerce Department and NOAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Democrats said they are worried the Trump administration's retirement offers and anticipated staff reductions will weaken the nation's efforts to defend communities against climate-driven disasters. Staffing at NOAA, which houses NWS, is expected to fall 20 percent due to those factors and a forthcoming reduction-in-force. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also endured layoffs and curtailed or cut disaster response programs. 'This is not fear mongering. These are challenges by design, by the actions of the Trump administration,' Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) said. 'We know that there's a likelihood of a very intense [hurricane] season. So why would we put ourselves in a position to not be the most prepared possible?' DiLiberto said Trump's actions will also further obscure climate-driven dangers. NOAA recently shuttered its database of disasters that cause at least $1 billion of damage, taking a key public resource offline. DiLiberto said datasets tracking polar sea ice in the Arctic and greenhouse gases at NOAA are also under threat. 'The Trump administration takes an axe to NOAA, whose mission is to protect the American people and their livelihoods,' he said. 'NOAA is in trouble.'
Politico
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Politico
Democrats raise alarms as National Weather Service races to fill jobs ahead of hurricane season
Vacancies at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are raising fears among current and former agency officials and Democrats that cuts to the federal workforce have left the country with too few experts to help prepare for weather disasters ahead of the looming Atlantic hurricane season. POLITICO first reported on Wednesday that NOAA posted 155 job openings at the National Weather Service, the public safety agency whose regional offices make up the nation's first line of defense for imminent storms and disasters. House Democrats on the Science, Space and Technology Committee said NOAA managers are pleading with employees in emails to pursue reassignments to fill those jobs, which in many cases would amount to demotions. 'They are frantically trying to fill the gaps,' Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the committee's top Democrat, said at an event at the Capitol. 'There appears to be a panic level on the part of the department to try and undo the damage they've done to the weather service.' Internal documents reviewed by POLITICO revealed a range of open positions, from a lead meteorologist role in Fairbanks, Alaska, to meteorologist-in-charge at the NWS office in Lake Charles, Louisiana — an area that is frequently at risk for tropical storms and hurricanes. The vacancies are mostly for meteorologists who embed in local offices scattered throughout the country and coordinate with local officials like mayors and emergency managers to provide timely information for storm preparation, helping reduce loss of life and property. NWS is also backfilling crucial roles like hydrologists and information technology specialists who help fine tune radar systems, said Tom DiLiberto, a former NOAA official who spoke at the Wednesday event. Those functions are essential for events like the hurricane season that officially begins June 1, DiLiberto said. 'We're not prepared. We're heading into hurricane season as unprepared as anytime as I can imagine,' he said. NOAA will issue its Atlantic hurricane season outlook May 22. It will come as NWS struggles to maintain 24-hour monitoring capabilities at all its offices amid staffing shortages, driven by a combination of retirements and the Trump administration's deferred resignation program and firings. Five former NWS chiefs said in an open letter earlier this month that the Trump administration's cuts could lead to 'a needless loss of life.' They said offices are so thinly staffed that some roles will have to be filled on a part-time basis. The former NWS directors said 250 employees were fired or took buyouts in February, and another 300 have since departed. Lofgren said the committee's Democrats have requested information about NWS and NOAA operations through six letters sent to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who oversees the departments — but they so far have not received any response. In the meantime, she has pressed Republicans to raise alarms about NWS staffing, since GOP-leaning districts and states in places like the Gulf Coast have often faced the biggest disasters. 'I will say this without violating any private conversations I've had with members across the aisle: there is concern,' she said in an interview. 'I haven't yet seen Republicans speak out publicly. That's something they got to figure out. Because when disaster hits, the tornado doesn't ask whether it's a red or blue area.' When asked about the significance of the vacancies, NWS spokesperson Kim Doster said the agency 'continues to meet its core mission.' Doster said NWS has 'updated the service level standards for its weather forecast offices to manage impacts due to shifting personnel resources,' but did not explain those modifications in detail. 'These revised standards reflect the transformation and prioritization of mission-essential operations, while supporting the balance of the operational workload for its workforce,' Doster said in a statement. Spokespeople for the Commerce Department and NOAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Democrats said they are worried the Trump administration's retirement offers and anticipated staff reductions will weaken the nation's efforts to defend communities against climate-driven disasters. Staffing at NOAA, which houses NWS, is expected to fall 20 percent due to those factors and a forthcoming reduction-in-force. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also endured layoffs and curtailed or cut disaster response programs. 'This is not fear mongering. These are challenges by design, by the actions of the Trump administration,' Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) said. 'We know that there's a likelihood of a very intense [hurricane] season. So why would we put ourselves in a position to not be the most prepared possible?' DiLiberto said Trump's actions will also further obscure climate-driven dangers. NOAA recently shuttered its database of disasters that cause at least $1 billion of damage, taking a key public resource offline. DiLiberto said datasets tracking polar sea ice in the Arctic and greenhouse gases at NOAA are also under threat. 'The Trump administration takes an axe to NOAA, whose mission is to protect the American people and their livelihoods,' he said. 'NOAA is in trouble.'
