New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined forces with 19 other attorneys general to file an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The coalition is challenging the EPA’s decision to terminate the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program, which was established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to aid communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.
“These climate and environmental justice grants are a lifeline for communities that have been historically left behind,” said Attorney General James. She emphasized the importance of these funds for New Yorkers, particularly those in Buffalo and Far Rockaway, who rely on them for clean energy access, air pollution mitigation, and climate disaster preparation. “When the federal government breaks its promises to our most vulnerable communities, the consequences can be devastating, even deadly.”
The brief filed in Appalachian Voices v. EPA argues that ending this grant program inflicts significant harm on communities already dealing with high levels of pollution and climate change effects. These areas often face multiple challenges due to historical discriminatory practices like racial segregation and redlining, resulting in limited access to essential infrastructure such as clean water.
In 2022, Congress allocated $3 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act specifically for addressing these disparities. In New York alone, over $70 million was awarded to 22 grantees for projects aimed at protecting residents from environmental hazards. Fordham University received $50 million to fund community-based environmental justice initiatives across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Indigenous Nations.
The termination of these grants has led to staffing cuts and halted programs among grantees. Attorney General James argues that this action by the EPA violates congressional mandates outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act. The coalition contends that Congress’s directives must be followed and that executive actions cannot override legislative appropriations based on policy preferences.
Attorney General James and her counterparts are seeking a preliminary injunction from the court to ensure continued availability of these vital grants.
Joining Attorney General James in this effort are Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
