Trump Proposes Cuts to Clean Energy and Climate Programs in 2027 Budget

Budget would boost military spending while slashing funds for renewable energy, carbon removal, and environmental justice efforts.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:24pm

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A photorealistic painting depicting a solitary oil pump jack standing in an empty urban setting, the machine's metallic form casting long shadows across the cracked pavement as warm sunlight filters through the surrounding buildings, creating a melancholic, nostalgic mood.The Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to clean energy programs and environmental protections reflect an ongoing shift toward fossil fuel production and military spending over sustainable development.Boulder Today

The Trump administration has unveiled its proposed 2027 federal budget, which calls for a record $1.5 trillion in defense spending while making significant cuts to clean energy, climate, and environmental programs. The budget would eliminate over $15 billion in Department of Energy funding for renewable energy, carbon capture, and other 'costly technologies,' as well as cut $1.1 billion from the DOE's Office of Science. It would also end subsidies for electric vehicle battery manufacturers, cancel $4 billion in EV charging infrastructure funds, and eliminate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Why it matters

The proposed budget cuts reflect the Trump administration's continued hostility toward renewable energy and climate action, prioritizing fossil fuel production and military spending over environmental protection and clean technology development. These cuts would undermine the nation's efforts to address climate change, transition to clean energy, and support vulnerable communities, drawing criticism from Democrats and environmental groups.

The details

The budget proposal seeks to 'eliminate funding for the globalist climate agenda' by canceling over $15 billion in DOE funds for renewable energy, carbon removal, and other 'costly technologies.' It would also redirect $4.7 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law toward 'firm baseload power' like fossil fuels, cut $1.1 billion from the DOE's science office, end EV battery subsidies, and eliminate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

  • The Trump administration unveiled the proposed 2027 federal budget on Friday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who is now serving a second, non-consecutive term in the White House.

Jeff Merkley

A Democratic senator from Oregon who serves on the Senate Budget Committee and criticized the proposed cuts as an 'out-of-touch plea for more money for guns and bombs.'

Katherine Tsantiris

The director of government relations at the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, who warned that slashing NOAA's budget would 'weaken weather forecasting, disrupt fisheries management and stall ocean research.'

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What they’re saying

“It's just an out-of-touch plea for more money for guns and bombs, and less for the things people need, like housing, healthcare, education, roads, scientific research, and environmental protection.”

— Jeff Merkley, Democratic Senator from Oregon

“Slashing NOAA's budget would weaken weather forecasting, disrupt fisheries management and stall ocean research — putting American lives, livelihoods and global scientific leadership at risk.”

— Katherine Tsantiris, Director of Government Relations, Ocean Conservancy

What’s next

The proposed budget will now go to Congress, where it is expected to face significant opposition from Democrats. Final spending levels are expected to be settled later in 2026.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's 2027 budget proposal represents a continued assault on climate and environmental programs, prioritizing fossil fuel production and military spending over clean energy, scientific research, and environmental justice. This budget, if enacted, would undermine the nation's efforts to address the growing threat of climate change.