Following World War II, Black individuals in Houston seized a rare opportunity to purchase homes in the newly developed community of Pleasantville, Texas. Sadly, over time, authorities constructed the Interstate 610 loop, alongside heavy industry structures like cement plants, near Pleasantville, leading to pollution and environmental concerns for the residents.
Shortly after assuming office in 2021, the Biden administration made significant commitments to addressing environmental issues in polluted areas inhabited by Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income communities, known as environmental justice communities.
In an attempt to evaluate the administration’s progress on these promises, The Associated Press connected with approximately 30 environmental justice groups nationwide. Many of these groups acknowledged that the current administration has taken more significant steps than previous ones by seeking their counsel, enforcing stricter environmental safeguards, and pledging substantial funding.
However, while some advocates praised the administration’s efforts, others expressed concerns about the policies not being robust enough to make substantial reductions in pollution levels. They also criticized the administration for supporting climate technologies that might exacerbate existing problems.
Notably, residents of Pleasantville, close to Houston’s industrial core, benefitted from the administration’s funding initiatives. One group in the area, Achieving Community Tasks Successfully, received a federal grant to conduct air quality testing, which they hope will empower them to advocate for cleaner air.
Despite these positive strides, challenges remain, with concerns raised about bureaucratic difficulties in accessing funding and delays in program implementation. Some activists are frustrated by the administration’s support for technologies like carbon capture, which they fear may enable polluting industries to persist or expand.
In response to criticism and feedback, Chief Federal Environmental Justice Officer Jalonne White-Newsome emphasized that the administration aims to instill environmental justice principles deeply within the federal government’s operations, even though there is still progress to be made.
While there has been a concerted effort by the Biden administration to address environmental justice concerns, with substantial funds allocated and regulations implemented, many advocates believe that more comprehensive and immediate action is necessary to safeguard vulnerable communities.