By Austin Matheny-Kawesch

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Action, the advocacy partner of the Environmental Defense Fund, released a new analysis revealing that core protections for clean air and water are on the chopping block unless Congress takes action. The analysis details how President Trump’s budget proposes dangerous cuts that put Arizonans’ health and safety at risk.

The proposed budget threatens to decimate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by slashing its overall budget by more than half, including gutting key funding that provides safe drinking water and air quality monitoring in Arizona.

“Cutting funding for critical programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the wrong move,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. “Undermining basic protections for public health doesn’t just hurt Arizona families — it’s bad for our economy. Access to clean water and air is a nonpartisan, fundamental necessity. The continued politicization of the agency that safeguards these resources and protects our planet is bad for health and bad for business in the long run.”

Key findings include: 

• Over 86% reduction in Arizona’s Drinking Water State Revolving Funds – a loss of more than $16 million in low-interest loans and financial assistance to public water systems, resulting in serious consequences like lead-contaminated drinking water.  

• Over 90% cut to Arizona’s Clean Water State Revolving Funds – threatening capital planning and critical improvements to aging infrastructure; Arizona relies heavily on this funding, receiving $10 million in 2020 for water infrastructure projects and upgrades. 

• Eliminating the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program – leaving Arizona without the resources to replace older polluting vehicles with newer and cleaner engines and increasing the risk of unchecked pollution impacting families across the state.

“Whether cleaning the air above Phoenix or safeguarding the drinking water of Tucson, Arizonans depend on the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce toxic pollution,” said former Regional Administrator for EPA’s Region 9 Martha Guzman Aceves. “Nobody wants dirty air and unsafe drinking water, but that’s what we will get if we don’t speak up against these deep budget cuts to [the] EPA that will have an especially big impact on Arizona.”

“Arizona’s natural resources and environmental qualities make our state attractive as a hub for the emerging technologies that will fuel America’s future growth while also drawing in families from across the country looking to enjoy a dynamic and serene retirement,” added Lori Singleton, President and CEO of Arizona Forward. “Our economy and our quality of life depend on being able to provide safe drinking water and keeping our air clean. These cuts put the lives of all Arizonans, from the workers driving our tech boom to those enjoying their golden years, at risk.”

 “These proposed cuts would eliminate essential programs that Arizonans rely on every day to breathe clean air and drink safe water,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs at EDF Action. “Without adequate funding for clean air, clean water and enforcement, Arizonans will be less healthy while polluters will face fewer consequences.”

Congress has an opportunity and a responsibility to reject these egregious funding cuts. The bipartisan funding bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee proposes maintaining steady funding for the EPA with slight budget reductions.