The Trump Administration is firing its Environmental Justice (EJ) staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This shows the administration values profits more than people at any cost.

Dr. Treva Gear, Georgia Campaign Manager at Dogwood Alliance, said:

“Marginalized communities across the country were finally seeing positive changes. There were opportunities for justice and hope for better health and quality of life. Administrator Zeldin and President Trump have decided it’s fine to pollute our communities. They choose to poison our air and water. They chose to abandon the most vulnerable people in the country.”

The environmental justice movement

The environmental justice movement began in the 1980’s. It emerged from the civil rights movement. Polluting industries often choose low-income communities of color for their worst toxic sites. The neighborhoods in these places are called environmental justice (EJ) communities. These industries took resources from EJ communities and never gave back. This is still happening today. The EPA first opened the Office of Environmental Equity in 1992. It became the office of Environmental Justice in 1994.

The Environmental Justice staff at the EPA have critical expertise and understanding. EJ communities suffer the most from our nation’s environmental harms and pollution. The EPA has aided many EJ communities. It helps them understand tricky policies and find resources. This support reduces pollution and makes neighborhoods safer.

EJ communities and the wood pellet industry

Many EJ communities in the South face the bioenergy and wood pellet industry. They have caught the EPA’s attention. These industries have been polluting the communities in which they operate. Many wood pellet mills are in rural EJ communities of color. These areas already deal with high pollution from other industries.

Many states have failed to take action. Instead, the EPA has had to protect communities that face environmental injustices. The EPA helps states that can’t afford the resources to protect their communities. Closing these offices and firing of EJ staff ends that progress.

Dr. Gear said:

“President Trump just told our communities that they do not matter. We are about to witness a massive increase in pollution. Many people will suffer or even die without protection. The bioenergy industry was already violating the Clean Air Act, and it’s breaking the law. Now there is nothing to stop them.”

We expect anger from politicians and courts. They have promised to uphold American values. To uphold the US Constitution’s promise of “liberty and justice for all.” Congress and the courts must act now. They need to protect all communities from toxic pollution and harmful resource extraction.