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Climate change

Washington State Sues Trump Administration Over Climate Change Funding Cuts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Trump administration has been accused of unlawfully withholding over $9 million in congressionally authorized funds intended to help Washington state prepare for the impacts of climate change. The funds were awarded to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2022 and 2023, with Washington state being a recipient of the funding. However, NOAA abruptly terminated the awards in May, citing inconsistency with the president's new priorities. This move has jeopardized jobs and threatens to undermine the state's comprehensive climate resilience strategy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has been sued by Washington state for unlawfully withholding over $9 million in climate change funding.
  • The funding was awarded to NOAA in 2022 and 2023, with Washington state being a recipient of the funding.
  • NOAA terminated the awards in May, citing inconsistency with the president's new priorities.
  • The termination of the funding has jeopardized jobs and threatens to undermine the state's comprehensive climate resilience strategy.
  • The state's Tribal Stewards Program and Advancing an Equitable Framework for Coastal Resilience projects were targeted by the cuts, which were worth $9.3 million and $250,000, respectively.
  • A complaint was filed by Washington state, arguing that the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution's Spending Clause and separation of powers principles.
  • The state's Attorney General, Nick Brown, stated that climate change is a pressing issue that requires preparation and resilience, and that the federal government has promised funding to help local communities adapt.

Statistics:

  • $9,300,000: The amount of funding awarded to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) Tribal Stewards Program.
  • 2,130: The number of post-secondary students educated in wildlife biology, environmental science, and other natural resource degrees through the Tribal Stewards Program.
  • 11: The number of employers that had committed to hiring Tribal Stewards graduates in some of the state's most economically depressed regions and areas most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
  • $250,000: The amount of funding awarded to the Department of Ecology's project titled Advancing an Equitable Framework for Coastal Resilience in Washington State.
  • $114,000: The amount of funding withheld by NOAA, approximately half of the total funding awarded to the Department of Ecology's project.

Sources:

  • Washington State News
  • NOAA
  • U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Washington State Attorney General's Office
  • Press Release (available here)

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