The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has eliminated its environmental justice offices following a directive from the Trump administration. Two former staffers discuss the fallout for marginalized communities facing disproportionate pollution burdens.
Lylla Younes reports for Grist.
In short:
- The EPA has disbanded its Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, along with similar offices in its regional divisions, as part of a broader move to cut federal oversight of polluting industries.
- The closures follow President Trump’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which his administration has linked to environmental justice efforts.
- A federal court has ruled that recent mass firings at the EPA were unlawful, temporarily reinstating some employees, though their job security remains uncertain.
Key quote:
“You know those brownfields? The oil companies get to disband and go operate somewhere else. But what about the communities next to those places? What’s going to happen to them?”
— Tracy, former EPA staffer
Why this matters:
The closure of environmental justice offices represents a significant shift in federal oversight, leaving vulnerable communities — often low-income and predominantly nonwhite — without crucial support in their fight against pollution. These offices have long served as a bridge between affected neighborhoods and government agencies, helping residents push back against hazardous industrial practices that contaminate air and water. Refinery emissions, hazardous waste disposal, and climate policies may all see weaker enforcement, raising concerns among scientists and advocates about worsening public health outcomes. For residents living near industrial corridors, the shuttering of these offices could mean the difference between cleaner air and water — or continued exposure to harmful pollutants.
Related: Environmental Injustice
