Environmental regulatory reform under the Trump Administration presents an opportunity to reinvigorate the national conversation around the federal-state relationship.

Over the past two decades, states have been delegated more responsibility for environmental protection, education, and enforcement. However, the resources provided to them have measurably decreased, at the same time that states are facing their own budget crises. In response, state environmental protection agencies are being challenged to operate with little to no state funding, and instead rely on federal funding and increased fees imposed on regulated entities.

With funding issues looming larger today than ever, there is a need to revisit the national approach to environmental protection and whether the federal-state partnership can be enlisted more effectively to avoid staff duplication, regulatory confusion, and resource waste.