National Environmental Education Act of 1990: Overview, Implementation, and Reauthorization Issues

Publication Date: July 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-619) established a program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase public understanding of the environment. The program awards grants for educating elementary and secondary school students and training teachers, supports fellowships to encourage the pursuit of environmental professions, selects individuals for environmental awards, and sponsors workshops and conferences. The Bush Administration has proposed to eliminate funding for the program each year since FY2003, and it did so again in its FY2007 request, asserting that the program has not demonstrated results in improving the quality of environmental education. Advocates of the program have countered that it has had a national impact, providing financial assistance to schools in all 50 states to train teachers, develop curricula, purchase textbooks, and conduct other educational activities. In response to widespread state and local support, Congress has appropriated funding to continue the program each year, at about $9 million annually. As passed by the House, the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for FY2007 (H.R. 5386) would provide $9 million to continue the program. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $7 million in its version of the bill. Although Congress continues to provide funding, reauthorization legislation has not been enacted. Reauthorization issues in past Congresses have included whether statutory requirements are needed to ensure that environmental education activities supported by EPA are based on “sound science.” This report will be updated as developments warrant.