The resignation of Michael S. Regan, the first Black EPA chief, marks a turning point for the agency’s focus on protecting vulnerable communities, as legal and political challenges threaten its regulatory tools.
Willy Blackmore reports for Word In Black.
In short:
- Michael S. Regan left his role as EPA administrator on Dec. 31, after prioritizing environmental justice initiatives aimed at Black and Brown communities impacted by pollution and climate change.
- The EPA’s use of Title XI of the Civil Rights Act to combat environmental discrimination stalled due to lawsuits, with some investigations dropped following legal pressure from Republican-led states.
- Donald Trump’s incoming administration plans to roll back regulatory powers, with Lee Zeldin nominated to lead the EPA under a deregulatory agenda.
Key quote:
The EPA took environmental justice and “placed it at the center of our decision-making.’’
— former EPA administrator Michael S. Regan, writing in the resignation letter he sent to agency employees
Why it matters:
Communities of color often live closest to polluting industries and face higher health risks, making environmental regulations a critical line of defense. Without robust enforcement, efforts to address pollution-related inequities may falter, worsening disparities.
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