In a controversial move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shut down its $3 billion environmental justice program, a decision that has sparked significant concern among advocates for minority communities. The program, which was funded through President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, aimed to address the disproportionate impact of pollution on Black and brown communities. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the closure of 10 regional offices dedicated to this cause, marking an end to the agency’s brief era of environmental justice.
Critics argue that this decision undermines efforts to rectify environmental injustices that have long plagued minority communities. Areas like Cancer Alley in Louisiana, predominantly inhabited by Black residents, have suffered from high levels of pollution due to nearby chemical plants and oil refineries. The closure of these offices means that such communities may continue to face severe health risks without adequate federal support.
Zeldin’s supporters, however, claim that removing race from the agency’s work allows the EPA to refocus on its core mission. They argue that the agency had lost sight of its primary environmental goals by engaging in what they describe as “social justice” activities. This perspective, however, is met with strong opposition from those who believe that addressing racial disparities in environmental policy is crucial for achieving true environmental protection.
The shutdown of the environmental justice program is seen as a rollback of government efforts to address racial disparities, leaving many minority communities vulnerable to ongoing environmental hazards.
See: “Trump’s EPA Shuts Down $3B Environmental Justice Program” (March 18, 2025)