U.S. fiscal year 2007 budget proposals

U.S. Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposals

Quite a few environmental programs would be cut back or eliminated under President Bush’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2007 (FY ’07). Research funds for geothermal, hydropower, and oil and natural gas research at the Department of Energy would be eliminated, while funding for groundwater and other water resources work would be significantly cut at the U.S. Geological Survey. Monies for climate change, atmospheric research, and ecosystems would also decline. Bush does propose increases in programs that directly support his top R&D priorities of homeland security and defense. Yet, the president’s priorities come at a cost to basic and applied research projects: The proposal includes a 3.5% drop for these programs, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual budget analysis. ES&T examines the budget requests for five federal agencies with large environmental programs.