EPA: Budget creates jobs, protects climate

WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed $10.5 billion budget would create jobs and protect the environment, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said.

"EPA's new budget reflects (President Barack Obama's) commitment to growing a clean energy economy while protecting human health and the environment," Jackson said Thursday.

The EPA allocated $3.9 billion to maintain and improve outdated water infrastructure and keep wastewater and drinking water clean and safe, she said. The money would support building and renovating an estimated 1,000 clean water and 700 drinking water infrastructure projects, and repair and upgrade older drinking water and wastewater pipes.

To address climate change, the agency's proposal budgets $17 million in the greenhouse gas emissions inventory for new analytical tools, upgraded testing capabilities and coordination with other agencies on research and green initiatives.

The EPA budget would allocate $1.3 billion for hazardous waste cleanups through Superfund programs and $175 million for the Brownfields program. In addition, it would restore Superfund tax known as the "polluter pays" policy, to fund future clean-up efforts, Jackson said.

Jackson said the $600 million allocated for the EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance program would add nearly 30 more enforcement staff, among other things.