EPA reinstates dozens of environmental justice staff

Less than a month after sidelining its entire environmental justice workforce, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is bringing back dozens of employees amid pressure from the White House and legal obligations.

Amudalat Ajasa reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• The EPA reinstated many of the 171 employees it had placed on leave from its environmental justice and civil rights office, following new White House guidance.
• Some returning staff say their work was legally required, and that the agency likely reinstated them to comply with statutory obligations.
• Critics argue the initial cuts were reckless, with former EPA official Matthew Tejada saying reinstated employees play a key role in ensuring federal policy reaches affected communities.

Key quote:

“These leaves were conducted indiscriminately and without any consideration of statutory requirements, or of the effect the firings would have on Americans.”

— Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

Why this matters:

While the reinstatement is a win for those fighting to keep environmental justice on the agenda, it also raises an uncomfortable question: If these roles were so essential that the EPA had to bring them back, why were they slashed in the first place?

Read more: America, this is what environmental justice is — and what we all stand to lose.