New Report Details States’ Cuts in Environmental Protection Funding and Staffing 

A new report released by the Environmental Integrity Project details steep cuts in funding and staffing at state environmental protection agencies across most of the nation over the past 15 years. When it comes to cutting environmental agency staff, North Carolina leads the states, eliminating nearly a third of its staff since 2010.

Double Whammy: Federal Rollbacks & State Cuts

“The Trump Administration is attempting to dismantle EPA and rollback commonsense federal pollution rules, claiming that the states can pick up the slack and protect our communities – but that’s not the case,” said Jen Duggan, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project. “The implementation of our environmental laws depends on both a strong EPA and state agencies that have the resources they need to do their jobs. But our research found that many states have already cut their pollution control agencies and so more cuts at the federal level will only put more Americans at risk.” 

The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) lost 386 jobs during the 15-year period, nearly a third (32%) of its staff, and a similar percentage of its total funding. That’s the highest percentage staff loss “of any state environmental agency in the U.S.” This leaves NC without the resources needed to manage serious challenges like factory farm pollution or climate-change driven storms and flooding. 

Read the full report, titled: “State of Decline: Cuts to State Pollution Control Agencies Compound Damage from the Dismantling of EPA.” 

Our Work

With federal rollbacks and state cuts, our work is more important than ever. Beyond elections, we will continue to work with communities and partners to pressure our elected officials to prioritize our health, our safety, and our environment. 

Support us by becoming a monthly donor. Your generosity helps us make a difference in the halls of the General Assembly and in communities across our beautiful state.