Proposed White House Budget Signals Increased Funding for EPA and Water Programs
The White House released its initial proposed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget on April 9. This document serves to outline the President’s annual funding priorities, which Congress will consider as it drafts its annual Appropriations bills.
Overall, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposed for a 21 percent budget increase, totaling $11.2B in proposed funding for the Agency. Of this budget, about one-third, or $3.6B, would go for water infrastructure. This reflects an increase of about $625 million over the last fiscal year (FY21) for water infrastructure. The budget closely reflects previously stated priorities of this Administration including infrastructure investment and environmental justice.
The White House may release a more comprehensive budget in the coming weeks. Congress will then begin to write its own spending bills, and a new budget agreement must be agreed upon and signed by the President by September 30. NACWA will stay engaged as more details are released and will remain engaged with Congress as the FY22 Appropriations process advances, including continued advocacy for the greatest possible budget increase for water funding.
For more information on the ongoing budget negotiations please contact Kristina Surfus, NACWA’s Managing Director of Government Affairs, or Jason Isakovic, NACWA’s Legislative Director.