Trump administration dismantles federal environmental justice efforts

The Trump administration has eliminated environmental justice programs across federal agencies, undoing Biden-era initiatives aimed at addressing pollution’s disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

Henry Grabar reports for Slate.

In short:

The White House, Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies have removed references to environmental justice from policies, deleted websites and suspended officials working on the issue.
The DOJ Office of Environmental Justice, created in 2022 to support communities affected by pollution, has been shut down and its staff placed on leave.
The administration is attempting to claw back $3 billion in environmental justice grants from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Key quote:

“The right to breathe clean air, drink clean water and to have our food safe to eat and have our kids play on playgrounds that are not contaminated … that’s not DEI.”

— Robert Bullard, founding director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice

Why this matters:

For decades, low-income communities and communities of color have disproportionately suffered the health effects of pollution, from toxic air and contaminated water to hazardous waste sites in their neighborhoods. Efforts to curb these disparities have relied heavily on federal oversight, with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency enforcing regulations that limit emissions and penalize polluters. But if programs designed to protect these communities are weakened or eliminated, advocates warn that accountability could slip, allowing industries to operate with fewer restrictions and making it harder for residents to fight back.

slate.com

Sick African American man coughing holding paper napkin near mouth suffering from respiratory ailment

Credit: Prostock-studio/BigStock Photo ID: 400400966

In coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

While President Trump is directing hundreds of millions of dollars to coal projects, miners in Appalachia are suffering from a resurgence of black lung disease. But industry pushback has indefinitely delayed federal rules that would reduce miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust.

Read the Full Article on

e360.yale.edu

Trump administration dismantles federal environmental justice efforts

Takeaways from the first conference focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels

Washington State's latest emissions report shows small decline

Extreme heat could impact the World Cup games. Here's what cities are doing to prepare

California will soon have more than 300 data centers. Where will they get their water?

Carbon pollution is making food less nutritious and risking health of billions

In coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

Critical minerals are ‘oil of 21st century’ as demand fuels poverty and pollution in poorer countries

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.