The #Trump admin intends to eliminate #EPA offices responsible for addressing the disproportionately high levels of #pollution facing #poor communities, acc/to a memo from #LeeZeldin, the agency administrator.
In the internal memo, viewed by NYT, Zeldin informed agency leaders that he was directing “the reorganization & elimination” of the offices of #EnvironmentalJustice at all 10 EPA regional offices as well as the one in Washington.
#law #HealthEquity #Climate #USpol
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/climate/epa-closure-environmental-justice-offices.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=p&pvid=C43935C5-4152-411C-955E-D4777BEAF324
#LeeZeldin’s move effectively ends 3 decades of work at the #EPA to try to ease the #pollution that burdens #poor & #minority communities, which are frequently located near #highways, #PowerPlants, #industrial plants & other polluting facilities. Studies have shown that people who live in those #communities have higher rates of #asthma, #HeartDisease & other #health problems, compared w/the national average.
“If anybody needed a clearer sign that this administration gives not a single damn for the people of the #UnitedStates, this is it,” Matthew Tejada, a fmr #EPA ofcl who is now a snr VP for #EnvironmentalHealth at the Natural Resources Defense Fund, a nonprofit.
Molly Vaseliou, an EPA spox, described the moves as *organizational improvements* that align w/ #Trump’s orders to end *wasteful* spending & #diversity, #equity & #inclusion programs.
#law #EnvironmentalJustice #PublicHealth #HealthEquity
In a statement, #LeeZeldin suggested that #EnvironmentalJustice — which the #EPA defined in 2013 as “the fair treatment & meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income” w/respect to #EnvironmentalLaw — was tantamount to discrimination. [BS]
“President Trump was elected with a mandate from the American people,” [wrong] Zeldin said. “Part of this mandate includes the elimination of *forced* discrimination programs.”
@Nonilex
so, LZ, being "forced" to not discriminate is discrimination?
Then isn't your forcing me not to practice dei discriminating against my right to?
Can you see your own ass in front of you in this argument?
@Nonilex This is covered in the book "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America". It has been policy since long before we were born.