Tell Congress: Fully Fund Key Climate & Energy Programs 💰
Protect critical work at NOAA, NASA & Dept. of Energy
Which Programs Are At Risk?
NASA’s Earth-orbiting satellites and new technologies have helped scientists collect many different types of information about our planet and its climate.¹ But the White House requested to slash NASA’s science funding by 47%.²
NOAA plays a critical role in weather forecasting, extreme weather warnings, and climate science. The agency's research is also the gold standard for tracking the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and oceans, publishing that data publicly for America and the international community, and modeling/forecasting changes as a result. Yet the Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget seeks $2.2 billion cuts in NOAA research endeavors, grant programs and other initiatives, including dissolving the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.³
The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) are essential for energy innovation and reliability. EERE funds early-stage research and development activities to develop efficient energy and different types of energy sources, which is critical for America’s global energy leadership. Yet the White House has proposed cutting this office’s budget by 74%. ARPA-E develops cutting edge energy technologies that keep us ahead of global competitors while driving down costs. It’s extremely bipartisan and well-supported in Congress; yet the White House’s budget proposes a 57% cut to this agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are appropriations?
Appropriations are legal authorizations by a government to spend money. In the U.S., for example, appropriations are laws passed by Congress that allow federal agencies and programs to spend money from the U.S. Treasury. Appropriations are determined through an annual process where Congress has ultimate say over what to fund and at what level.
Note: Appropriations ≠ authorizations. Authorizations give permission for a program or agency to exist and potentially receive funding. Appropriations actually provide the money. Congress passes appropriations bills each year to fund government operations, usually by October 1 (the start of the federal fiscal year).
When will the FY26 budget be finalized?
The deadline to fund the government is at the end of September so that is the expected deadline for the appropriations process to conclude. There are often short-term appropriations bills meant to delay a shutdown that would extend the appropriations process through a later date.
Why are these programs important?
As America’s power demands grow and our climate continues to change, we need key climate and clean energy programs in place. In particular, funding NASA, NOAA and the Department of Energy will:
- Preserve critical science and research that keeps the American public and the international community informed about our changing climate
- Strengthen U.S. energy leadership and competitiveness, ensuring we don’t lose the clean energy race on the international stage
- Ensure that America’s grid can meet rising demand as these programs help ensure we have enough supply to meet our growing demand for electricity.
Will Congress listen to me?
Yes! The idea that elected representatives don’t listen to their constituents is not true. In reality, congressional staffers take every call and voicemail and read every email their office receives and pass these onto their member of Congress in regular briefings. Congress works for you, and they want to know what their constituents care about. You may receive a generic email in response, but your message was still received loud and clear.
How else can I help?
You only need to email your representative and senators one time each using our tool. Then, share this page with any friends, family and coworkers who want to help keep America’s climate and clean energy programs in place!
Who is Citizens’ Climate Lobby?
Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy climate change organization that exists to create the political will for climate change solutions by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power.
Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations.
CCL empowers everyday people to work with their community and their members of Congress. Our supporters cover the political spectrum and work in more than 450 local chapters. Together, we’re building support for a national bipartisan solution to climate change.
