Trump FY2018 'Skinny' Budget Proposal: An Overview of the Sustainable Energy, Buildings, Transportation and Climate Implications

The document analyzes proposed budget cuts in the FY2018 'skinny' budget, highlighting the elimination of bipartisan programs for low-income energy assistance, climate research, and rural transportation. It details specific reductions across the USDA, DOE, EPA, NASA, and the Department of State, arguing that the 'America First' approach prioritizes physical security and fossil fuels over climate resilience and international cooperation.

• The budget proposal targets the elimination of several programs with strong bipartisan support that assist rural areas and low-income households, including the Low-Income House Energy Assistance Program, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and the State Energy Program.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faces the largest percentage cut of any major agency at 31 percent, with a specific focus on eliminating all climate-related programs, including the Clean Power Plan and international climate change programs.
• The Department of Energy (DOE) proposal threatens advanced technology research and financing, specifically proposing the elimination of ARPA-E, the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program, and the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program.
• Significant cuts to the Department of Transportation (DOT) would eliminate all 15 of Amtrak's long-distance train routes and the Essential Air Service Program, which serves 169 rural communities across 35 states and Puerto Rico.
• International climate and resilience efforts are heavily reduced through a 28 percent cut to the State/USAID budget and a 35 percent cut to Treasury international programs, including the elimination of the Global Climate Change Initiative and support for the Green Climate Fund.
• NASA's budget proposal shifts funding away from Earth science and climate observation by eliminating four specific missions: PACE, OCO-3, DSCOVR, and CLARREO Pathfinder.

APA

Werner, C., La Shier, B., Vaughan, E., Stolark, J., Haven, P., & Williams, S. (2017). Trump FY2018 'Skinny' Budget Proposal: An Overview of the Sustainable Energy, Buildings, Transportation and Climate Implications. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/files/IssueBrief_Skinny_Budget_041917.pdf

Chicago

Werner, Carol, Brian La Shier, Ellen Vaughan, Jessie Stolark, Paul Haven, and Susan Williams. Trump FY2018 'Skinny' Budget Proposal: An Overview of the Sustainable Energy, Buildings, Transportation and Climate Implications. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2017. https://www.eesi.org/files/IssueBrief_Skinny_Budget_041917.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Werner |first1=Carol |last2=La Shier |first2=Brian |last3=Vaughan |first3=Ellen |last4=Stolark |first4=Jessie |last5=Haven |first5=Paul |last6=Williams |first6=Susan |title=Trump FY2018 'Skinny' Budget Proposal: An Overview of the Sustainable Energy, Buildings, Transportation and Climate Implications |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=April 2017 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/IssueBrief_Skinny_Budget_041917.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{werner2017trump, author = {Werner, Carol and La Shier, Brian and Vaughan, Ellen and Stolark, Jessie and Haven, Paul and Williams, Susan}, title = {{Trump FY2018 'Skinny' Budget Proposal: An Overview of the Sustainable Energy, Buildings, Transportation and Climate Implications}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2017}, month = apr, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/IssueBrief_Skinny_Budget_041917.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }