Dive Brief:
- President Barack Obama has proposed a $4 trillion budget that includes accelerated emissions targets for states and making permanent the federal tax credits targeting solar and wind generation.
- The budget reflects the increasing attention the administration places on carbon pollution and the environment, and for the first time includes an entire section on combating climate change.
- Environmental advocates hailed the budget, saying it includes necessary protections to help the U.S. shift towards a cleaner power mix.
Dive Insight:
"Our nation thrives when we are leading the world with cutting-edge technology in manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy, and other growing fields," Obama said in his budget message. Reuters points out the budget proposes a 7% boost to clean energy funding along with $4 billion to push states forward on emissions cuts.
And the budget would make permanent the production tax credit and investment tax credit used by the wind and solar industries, respectively.
"Budgets are a statement of priorities, and this budget clearly shows that President Obama is making action on the climate crisis a top goal of his administration over the next year," Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in a statement. "If we are serious about protecting and supporting our communities, our families, and our economy, this is the budget we need.”
The Natural Resources Defense Council said the budget “is an important first step toward rebuilding the ability to protect our air, waters and lands and to continue to deal with climate change."
"In the past five years, EPA, for example, has suffered a 27% real cut in funding," said Scott Slesinger, legislative director NRDC. "This budget will be a test to see if the Republican leadership has anything to offer besides spending cuts and riders to block environmental progress.”
Republicans have not appeared impressed by the proposal. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) said that despite billions in new taxes the budget does not balance.