The Trump administration has rolled back several environmental justice policies put in place by the Biden administration. Among the rescinded initiatives is the "Justice40" program, which directed 40% of benefits from specific environmental programs to heavily polluted communities, often comprised of Black, Latino, and low-income populations. Additionally, the administration has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and eliminated policies from the Clinton era focused on addressing environmental health issues in low-income and minority communities.
This change may affect how pollution impacts are assessed for new facilities, potentially halting funds intended for climate and environmental programs under the Inflation Reduction Act. The new administrations environmental moves have two aims: to eliminate environmental policies perceived as curtailing development and doing away with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Under Biden, the EPA implemented significant environmental justice efforts, including stricter air pollution standards and public health regulations. An EPA-funded study highlighted the higher pollution exposure risks for Black communities. The agency also reduced over 225 million pounds of pollution and issued the largest-ever Clean Air Act fine. Jade Begay, an Indigenous rights and climate organizer, said: "What I'm grappling right now with is both the grief of these losses, and the fact that we were on an upward swing, if you will, just weeks ago." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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