WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats are raising concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to invalidate more than $1.5 billion in grants earmarked for advancing environmental conditions in minority areas disproportionately affected by pollution. These grants were initially distributed under President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022, following legislation that instructed the EPA to allocate $3 billion toward helping low-income and minority communities with air, water quality improvements, and protection against climate change.
This initiative was a key part of Biden’s agenda. However, under President Donald Trump’s administration, funding and personnel dedicated to these environmental justice causes face reduction. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin revealed on March 10 that he was revoking over 400 “DEI and Environmental Justice grants” amounting to $1.7 billion, marking the most significant cut in EPA and Government Efficiency endeavors to date.
All Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works have penned a letter to Zeldin, requesting details from the EPA regarding the canceled grants and the potential dismissal of employees dedicated to environmental justice. The senators are urging the agency to clarify its strategies for addressing pollution in marginalized communities.
The senators emphasized that the majority of these grants were allocated with a congressional directive to serve disadvantaged communities, as articulated in their letter. They also accused the EPA of breaching statutory requirements and court mandates concerning the termination of grants.
In response, the EPA asserted that the cancellations would proceed. An agency spokesperson noted that while they acknowledged the senators’ letter, they will address it appropriately, stating that the Trump administration is committed to curbing the extravagant use of taxpayer funds, continuing to rescind agreements in line with existing terms and conditions.
An internal EPA document shared with the media provided insight into the affected grantees. It included a host of organizations and projects focused on improving air and water standards. For instance, the Childhood Lead Action Project previously received $500,000 for a lead poisoning prevention initiative. Similarly, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice obtained $474,000 for a neighborhood air quality monitoring scheme, while the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection had been granted $1 million for tackling PFAS contamination in local drinking water sources.
To fulfill the objectives of the Inflation Reduction Act, the EPA, during Biden’s term, funded several environmental justice grant programs that targeted community-based efforts battling historical pollution, climate challenges, and long-term neglect, as recounted by the agency.
Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester criticized the grant terminations, arguing that these actions do not contribute to cost reductions for families but instead jeopardize community well-being. Trump’s executive order reversed longstanding environmental justice policies, eliminating DEI initiatives within the government structure. Following this directive, Zeldin has dismantled several of the Biden administration’s climate and justice efforts.
In alignment with Trump’s executive orders, the EPA has also instructed the freezing of $14 billion in funding designated during Biden’s tenure for a green financing bank intended to back climate-friendly projects—an initiative established by congressional mandate. Zeldin challenged the management of these programs, citing mismanagement claims, but these moves were halted by a judicial order, questioning the basis of the fraud allegations.
Senate Democrats argue that the administration’s refusal to release funds approved by Congress—referred to as impoundment—breaches Zeldin’s own commitment to uphold legal obligations made during his confirmation. These grant terminations are seen as a breach of congressional laws, contract agreements, and court orders, jeopardizing programs aimed at reducing lead exposure, curtailing toxic pollution, and mitigating climate-related health hazards, stated Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a leading Democrat on the committee.
This news of the letter first emerged from a prominent publication. Notably, last year, the EPA amended its grant policies, removing provisions for policy-based cancellations. Nonetheless, an internal email from the EPA’s Office of General Counsel indicates that some grants were still revoked, even when the updated terms were acknowledged.
The EPA continues to face scrutiny as it navigates through the ramifications of these recent decisions, particularly concerning their impacts on vulnerable communities.