Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing

On May 8, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing entitled “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.” The witness in the hearing was:

  • The Honorable Michael Regan, Administrator, EPA

Below are a few key takeaways from the hearing by Delta Strategy Group.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

  • I commend the EPA for issuing an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E-15 through the summer and supporting our biofuel industry.

Michael Regan, Administrator, EPA

  • EPA requests nearly $11 billion to advance the key priorities, including urgently tackling the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, protecting air quality, cleaning up pollution, upgrading water infrastructure, and building the agency’s core capacity to carry out its vital mission.
  • EPA requests an additional $5 million to provide administrative support to implement the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), enacted through the IRA.  EPA recently released funding opportunities for three grant competitions through the GGRF, which include the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund, the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and the $7 billion Solar for All competition.  With the requested enhanced administrative support, EPA will be able to more efficiently administer grants to mobilize financing and leverage private capital for clean energy and climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.