The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a significant decision to resume funding for various environmental programs following a federal judge's ruling. This move affects programs under the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act that were previously paused.
Resumption of Funding
In an internal memo obtained by POLITICO, EPA's acting chief financial officer, Gregg Treml, announced the resumption of financial assistance for programs within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes support for State and Tribal Assistance Grants, Brownfields, and Superfund initiatives.
Focus on Environmental Initiatives
The majority of the unfrozen funding is directed towards programs in the bipartisan infrastructure law. These initiatives cover a wide range of activities such as estuary restoration, drinking water improvement projects, brownfield site remediation, and the mitigation of contaminants like PFAS chemicals.
According to experts, the funding freeze remains in effect for certain programs under the Inflation Reduction Act, a key component of the Biden administration's climate change strategy. This has led to challenges in accessing funds for vital projects related to solar energy and climate pollution reduction.
Legal Developments
Federal judges recently intervened to prevent the enforcement of spending freezes that originated from the previous administration. This legal action has helped unlock resources for energy and climate-related programs that were stalled under previous executive orders.
Future Implications
While the EPA's decision marks a positive step towards resuming environmental funding, ongoing litigation and regulatory changes may impact the availability of financial assistance in the future. It is crucial for stakeholders to stay informed about these developments to ensure the continuity of vital environmental programs.
For further information on this topic, refer to the original article by Alex Guillén, Josh Siegel, and Kelsey Tamborrino.