Senator Shelley Moore Capito Leads Hearing on EPA's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito applauded Administrator Zeldin for his leadership in returning EPA to its core mission, reversing the federal overreach of the previous administration, and focusing the agency on issues important to West Virginia and the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chairman Capito applauded Administrator Zeldin for his efforts to undo the previous administration's regulatory overreach, citing the rescinding of the Biden Clean Power Plan 2.0 rule, which was intended to shut down all fossil-fuel electric generation.
  • The EPA's proposed budget includes deep reductions for certain programs, including a $100 million cut from environmental justice programs added under the Biden Administration.
  • Chairman Capito expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed budget on bipartisan programs that have helped to clean up the air, water, and lands, and provide safe drinking water.
  • The proposed budget would reduce funding for the Brownfields program and includes an 89% cut to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
  • Chairman Capito highlighted the importance of federal assistance for water infrastructure through the State Revolving Funds and expressed hope for working together to ensure adequate resources remain available to support water systems.

Statistics:

  • $50 million: the amount awarded to the Climate Justice Alliance under the IRA's environmental justice grant program that was later canceled by the EPA.
  • $20 billion: the amount awarded under the so-called 'Green Bank' program in the IRA that the EPA is investigating and reclaiming.
  • $100 million: the proposed cut from environmental justice programs added under the Biden Administration.
  • 89%: the proposed reduction in funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
  • $50 billion: the largest bipartisan investment in the State Revolving Funds and water infrastructure in the nation's history, delivered in 2021.

Sources:

  • UNITED STATES SENATOR FOR WEST VIRGINIA SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO
  • US Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Press release: "Chairman Capito's Opening Statement at EPA Hearing on FY2026 Budget"