President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal aims to cut more than $15 billion in federal support for carbon capture and renewable energy. The plan marks a clear shift toward fossil fuels and nuclear power, moving away from climate-focused policies.
The White House plan calls for $163 billion in total cuts to non-defense spending. It also removes $6 billion for electric vehicle (EV) chargers from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. The administration blamed slow charger rollout on overregulation and climate justice concerns, arguing that EV infrastructure should be built by the private sector, “just like gas stations.”
Funding for the Department of Energy would shift toward oil, gas, coal, nuclear energy, and critical minerals research. However, details are limited. Offshore wind and renewable energy programs under the Interior Department face $80 million in cuts. The plan also eliminates $1.3 billion in NOAA grants for climate-focused satellite observations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would see its budget cut by 55%. This would slash climate change research and eliminate the agency’s environmental justice program. The budget follows the EPA’s March announcement that it is reviewing the 2009 Endangerment Finding. This finding classifies greenhouse gases like CO₂ as pollutants under the Clean Air Act and is the legal basis for many emissions regulations.
If the EPA rescinds the Endangerment Finding, it could remove the legal grounds for regulating emissions from power plants, vehicles, and oil wells. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the review, saying the agency will now follow “science, the law, and common sense.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright called the Endangerment Finding “an enormously negative” policy.
While the budget is only a proposal and not law, its priorities are clear: cut climate funding, boost fossil fuels, and roll back regulations. This could reshape U.S. energy policy for years to come.
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