Federal Judge Rules EPA's Termination of Environmental Justice Grants Unlawful

politico.com/news/2025/06/18/epa-termination-environmental-justice-grants-unlawful...

Revised Article

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's termination of $600 million in environmental justice grants was unlawful. The ruling concerns the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, which was designed to provide funding for community groups to address pollution that disproportionately affects communities of color, low-income areas, and rural communities.

This legal victory comes as the EPA faces a separate court challenge over its termination of $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants, which a judge also ruled unlawful. Both programs were established under the Inflation Reduction Act to address environmental justice concerns and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in disadvantaged communities.

The Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program was part of $2.8 billion in funding intended to provide block grants to community-based organizations, which would then distribute smaller grants to address environmental pollution in areas that have historically borne a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards. Environmental justice advocates have long documented that minority and low-income communities face higher levels of pollution and environmental health risks.

Congressional Republicans have proposed rescinding funding for both grant programs through their reconciliation bills, viewing these programs as unnecessary spending. The legal challenges center on whether the EPA has the authority to unilaterally cancel congressionally appropriated funds that have already been committed to recipients, with courts finding that such terminations exceed the agency's legal authority.

Missing Context & Misinformation 6

  • Lee Zeldin was confirmed as EPA Administrator on January 29, 2025, in a 56-42 Senate vote after being nominated by President Trump for his second administration.
  • The Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program was designed to provide funding to community-based organizations that would then distribute smaller grants to address environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities.
  • Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to environmental laws and policies, addressing the documented pattern that pollution disproportionately affects minority and low-income communities.
  • The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, also terminated by Zeldin's EPA, was a separate $20 billion program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
  • Congressional Republicans have consistently opposed these environmental justice programs, viewing them as wasteful spending and preferring to redirect funds through their reconciliation process.
  • The legal challenges to these terminations are based on arguments that the EPA lacks authority to unilaterally cancel congressionally appropriated funds that have already been committed to recipients.

Disinformation & Lies 1

No disinformation or lies detected in this article.

Bias 3

The article contains minimal bias that is largely fair and useful. The framing emphasizes the 'unlawful' nature of the termination, which accurately reflects the court's ruling and is proportional to the legal significance. The mention of 'communities of color and low-income areas' provides necessary context about who is affected. The reference to 'Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act' adds political context that helps readers understand the partisan nature of the dispute. This bias serves the useful purpose of highlighting the legal and social justice implications while remaining factually grounded.