WASHINGTON– Before taking office, Donald Trump vocalized his intent to dismantle environmental programs such as those within the Environmental Protection Agency. Word of mass layoffs has been circling since he was sworn in on January 20. Now, workers in environmental justice programs nationwide brace for the next wave of layoffs.
On Tuesday, the administration sent reduction-in-force notices to roughly 200 EPA employees both in Washington and regional offices across the country. Staff in environmental justice offices were told that their work no longer aligns with the EPA’s mission, and their positions will be terminated.
The news came on Earth Day, a day originally established to raise awareness around environmental issues and promote calls to action. The EPA will terminate employees beginning July 31.
This move is part of a larger effort to dismantle DEI policies and programs within the federal government. Environmental justice initiatives were first implemented in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 12898. This order created offices for environmental justice within agencies like the EPA and the Department of Justice.
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Current EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin told reporters on Monday that the current environmental justice work is inefficient, but “there are communities that have been left behind that need help.” He also stated that the EPA is working to reduce the agency budget by 65%.
The administration has also removed webpages like the EJScreen Tool, a database that mapped environmental and demographic indicators.
Fighting for justice
Many voices were pivotal in putting environmental justice on the map. Hazel M. Johnson advocated for her south-side Chicago community. Altgeld Gardens saw disproportionate levels of cancer, asthma, and similar illnesses due to the surrounding toxic facilities. Dr. Robert Bullard did the same for Houston’s Black and minority communities. However, the movement stepped onto the national stage in the late 1980s in Warren County, North Carolina.
Officials designated a predominantly Black community as the disposal site for toxic waste riddled with PCB, a cancerous substance, even though the waste didn’t originate there. This sparked protests from residents. As the movement gained momentum, prominent civil rights leaders joined the cause. This helped shift the focus from raising awareness to actively shaping policy.
During the Biden Administration, the EPA created the Thriving Communities grant program. At its core, it was designed to provide funding for non-profits, local governments and universities that plan to address environmental issues. Funding for this program was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, a piece of legislation that Trump has been proactive about dismantling.
The latest round of layoffs could deepen the harm already facing poor, rural, and minority communities.
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