Ten weeks after the budget sequester took effect on March 1, the House Appropriations Committee Democrats released “Report on Sequestration Effects and Efforts to Mitigate its Impact.” The report confirms that the sequester is threatening Americans’ health, safety and well being.
According to the report, sequester cuts in energy and environment related programs generally have had the following impacts so far:
- Less ability to fight wildfires
- Greater exposure to climate related extreme weather
- Less protection from air pollution
- Reduced protection for national parks and other protected places
The sequester will expose Americans to additional risks from climate change. The House Appropriations Committee Democrats report that:
The sequester will result in a cut of at least $50 million from NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) geostationary weather satellite program, which provides continuous monitoring to track severe weather. The cut will cause a 3-6 month satellite launch delay, increasing the likelihood of having fewer than two operational geostationary weather satellites in the 2017 timeframe, increasing the risk of inaccurate forecasts for hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms, with further risks to public safety and costs from weather-related damage. Continue reading