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This week, California lawmakers joined the raging Democrat chorus calling for the Environmental Protection Agency to reverse plans to end hundreds of grants directed towards clean air and water.
The internal EPA document released by the US Senate Environmental Committee and the Public Works Committee includes a list of approximately 400 grants aimed at elimination, of which 62 are in California. The grant aims to reduce lead poisoning in childhood, improve air quality, and reduce health risks from extreme heat and wildfires.
The end of the grant in question violates many court orders and “escalates the Trump administration’s attempt to attack legally resupplied funds applied to Congress to protect clean air and clean water and protect domestic investments in low-cost clean energy.”
The letter was addressed to President Trump’s EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, who has taken steps to roll back regulations and intestinal environmental protections that have long been supported by federal agencies.
The EPA first announced plans to cancel the grant on March 10 (in conjunction with Elon Musk’s unofficial government efficiency office, or Doge), describing them as “unnecessary programs” that cost Americans over $1.7 billion.
According to internal EPA documents, these grants range in the approximately $20,000 to $20 million, and include efforts such as reducing childhood asthma by improving air quality for affordable housing units. Strengthen wildfire preparations for farm worker communities. Improve drinking water on tribal lands.
Many of the grants scheduled to be cancelled were funded through President Biden’s groundbreaking climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act.
Most also include elements of environmental justice that disproportionately and disproportionately burden inequality such as extreme heat and pollution, and seek to correct low-income and communities of color. It is and is part of the Trump administration’s broader project to eliminate programs in all sectors that are linked to diversity, equity and inclusion movements.
In California, 62 organizations and nonprofits that saw the cut include Contra Costa and Solano food banks. Contra Costa and Solano have lost a $155,000 grant to a project that will feed the Vallejo community.
Another group on the list, Los Angeles Neighborhood Trust, has lost a $500,000 grant aimed at supporting planning an impartial development project along the LA River in northeastern LA, according to Tori Carr’s executive director. Kjer said some funds will be paid further to other groups in the area for affordable housing, tenant rights and park projects.
Kjer said the EPA did not inform the organization of the cuts. The group reached out multiple times for more information, but no response was obtained.
“It’s just daunting to see this happening,” Kjer said. “But this is like a new era for everyone. This is all unknown territory.”
The EPA justified the cuts through Trump’s executive order directing heads of federal agencies to terminate offices and positions related to environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion. (The EPA recently announced plans to close the Environmental Justice and the outside Civil Rights Office and place nearly 170 employees on vacation.)
However, the Senator’s letter argues that termination of the grant program is a violation of both contractual obligations and court orders.
The grant was made using the explicit requirement that funds allocated by the Congress be distributed to underprivileged communities.
At a confirmation hearing in January, Zeldin confirmed his obligation to ensure that EPA funds will be spent in accordance with Congress’ intentions.
“I will not cut funds if I am confirmed as an EPA administrator,” Zeldin said at the hearing. “That’s a decision set by Congress as far as funding levels are concerned. The funding levels decided by Congress will be the number I’m committed to fulfilling my obligation to spend on Congress’ intentions.”
Additionally, the senator said the continued implementation of the EPA’s Trump executive order violated a recent federal court decision.
The committee also issued an internal email from EPA officials who appear to acknowledge that cancellation of grants is illegal.
The order to terminate the Environmental Justice grant was “made with the knowledge that it does not include part of the grant. [terms and conditions] Members of the EPA’s general advisor wrote in an email obtained by the committee. The terms specify the EPA’s ability to unilaterally terminate grants based on changes to the agency’s plans and priorities.
The senators are urging the EPA to halt the implementation of executive orders, withdraw the grant termination, and provide additional information on environmental justice and decision-making processes surrounding the DEI program.
“The illicit, arbitrary and whimsical end of the EPA [environmental justice] The grant program eliminates common-sense, nonpartisan federal programs that clean air and water and protect Americans from natural disasters,” they write.
“Beyond the obvious issues confusing ‘DEI’ with ‘environmental justice’, these EPA grants have helped to ensure that all people enjoy a healthy environment regardless of their constant characteristics. ”
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