White House proposes slashing funds to clean up toxic sites despite EPA's pleas

EPA plan to focus on hazardous areas that pollute air and water, often near low-income communities and minorities, was dashed by president's budget proposal

Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt's vow to shift the agency back towards the "vital" work of dealing with toxic sites that pollute air and water has been dashed by a White House budget plan that would slash funding for the clean-ups.

Donald Trump's 2018 budget plan proposes severe cuts to clean-up programs targeting some of the most toxic sites in the US, which are invariably situated near low-income communities and minorities, despite a push by the EPA to prioritize these hazardous areas.