As the Trump administration plans to curtail regulation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investment, oversight and enforcement, design firms in the environmental sector may worry about the market. But many hope state and local mandates, constituent needs and technology will fill the gaps.
Noting the Trump-proposed 31% cut in EPA funding for next year—the largest for any federal department—and the elimination or downsizing of several agency clean-water programs, Anthony Bouchard, CDM Smith’s North America president, says, “It’s vital for environmental industry leaders to continue actively communicating the value of water and infrastructure.” He says the water-wastewater investment boost is unclear in Trump’s infrastructure program. Industry also is skeptical about whether the sector will gain from private funding, since with many smaller public systems, megaprojects that typically attract P3 investment are fewer, he notes.