Administration Official Defends $304.7 Million Budget Request Amid Republican Criticism of Environmental Review Processes for Coal Projects.

A top administration official defended the president’s fiscal 2025 budget request against Republican accusations that she is slow-walking environmental reviews of coal projects and failing to consult with states. Sharon Buccino, principal deputy director for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, defended the $304.7 million budget request for the coming fiscal year, stating it was appropriate given the agency’s responsibilities and the declining coal sector. The budget request includes a $26 million increase from 2024 enacted levels and $65 million for states in fiscal 2025, an increase of $2.6 million from enacted levels. Buccino also defended the budget, which includes tens of millions of dollars for state regulators facing increasing costs as coal companies declare bankruptcy and cleanup costs rise.