Trump EPA’s Superfund Plan Doesn’t Make Up for Disastrous Rollbacks of Environmental Protections and Giveaways to Fossil Fuel Executives

The EPA has announced plans to step up Superfund site cleanups, even as the Trump administration continues to slash agency staff and dismantle key environmental protection policies

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is shifting more of its focus towards cleaning up Superfund sites — heavily contaminated sites across the United States, often left behind by poorly managed manufacturing, processing or extraction operations. The move comes in the wake of Trump’s continued efforts to reduce EPA staffing, as well as his 2026 budget request, released last week, which includes a $254 million cut to Superfund cleanup funding. Critics argue that the administration is focusing on high-visibility efforts at the EPA while pushing a pro-fossil fuel agenda and drastically curtailing the EPA’s broader work, particularly programs that directly improve public health and target major polluters. 

Antonieta Cádiz, Deputy Executive Director for Climate Power En Acción, released the following statement in response:

“The Trump administration’s hypocrisy has no limits. Superfund cleanup efforts will not offset its ongoing push to allow industries to pollute without consideration. From executive actions that prioritize oil, gas and coal industries to the firing of hundreds at the EPA responsible for doing the day-to-day work of pollution monitoring and rule enforcement, this administration is deadly for communities already suffering from pollution. Superfund sites represent a longstanding environmental injustice for Latino communities, who are disproportionately likely to live near them. But Latinos also face higher exposure to ongoing pollution from oil and gas facilities, limited access to clean water, and worse air quality overall. The Trump administration has made it clear it does not prioritize the needs of those most vulnerable. Instead, it continues to serve the interests of the big polluters. Superfund cleanup does not cover up, excuse, or condone the damage the administration is continuing to carry out.”