NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) joined a coalition of nonprofits and community groups to sue the Trump administration for unlawfully terminating the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) Grant programs – despite a Congressional directive to fund them.
Alongside plaintiffs across the country, DSCEJ is seeking class action certification so all grant recipients who have been harmed by the wholesale termination of the EPA program, may continue their projects.
“All communities deserve to live in clean, healthy and safe environments free from toxic pollutants and resilient to the harmful impacts of extreme weather. This is not a partisan position and our work across multiple administrations has supported communities across the south and nation,” said Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director of DSCEJ. “The Trump administration’s efforts to cut off funding, leaves communities vulnerable and families unhealthy, all while polluters are never held accountable. In terminating the Environmental and Climate Justice Program, our agreement to help communities secure needed resources to improve polluted environmental conditions and reduce climate risks was eliminated. The system is rigged against those who need it most. We joined the lawsuit to hold the administration accountable for its misguided actions and to spur the further creation of healthier, cleaner and more resilient communities.”
In November 2023, DSCEJ launched the Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC) to provide direct services to community-based organizations (CBOs) and Tribal communities through capacity building, technical assistance, and training. The service area spans 13 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas – and 73 Tribes. CIRC leveled the playing field by building the capacity of organizations, most of whom had never applied for a federal grant, to identify potential funding opportunities for their community and navigate the application process.
The cancelled EPA grants supported community-based initiatives that include improving natural disaster preparedness, expanding workforce development opportunities, improving and monitoring air quality, mitigating stormwater and flood damage, combating high energy costs, and improving community members’ ability to participate in decision-making and permitting processes that impact their health and environment.
The Environmental and Climate Justice Program was created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) under Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 138 to award $3 billion in grants to community-based non-profits, Tribes, local governments, and higher education institutions in every state to tackle the climate crisis and environmental harms at the local level.
The grant-funded initiatives in rural, small town and urban communities across the country include air quality monitoring, community pollution notification systems, tree planting in urban heat zones, lead pipes replacement in community drinking water systems, resilience projects to strengthen communities against more frequent and intensifying extreme weather events, and more.
“Since his first days in office, the Trump administration has unlawfully withheld congressionally-mandated funds,” said Hana Vizcarra, senior attorney at Earthjustice. “Terminating these grant programs caused widespread harm and disruption to on-the-ground projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience and build community capacity to tackle environmental harms. We won’t let this stand.”
“We are proud to stand alongside our partners and these plaintiffs to fight for the communities who have been unlawfully denied the resources Congress promised them. This is a blatant, illegal attempt to sidestep federal law and strip critical funding away from the communities who need it most,” said Jillian Blanchard, Vice President of the Climate Change and Environmental Justice Program at Lawyers for Good Government. “These grants were lawfully awarded, binding agreements, backed by clear Congressional authorization under the Inflation Reduction Act. The administration’s unconstitutional termination of these grants are not only destabilizing local projects addressing pollution, public health, and climate resilience, they violate core principles of administrative law and the separation of powers.”
Memphis Town, previously a Superfund site, is being rewritten into a story of hope and renewal.
How big can you dream? Pretty big, you say? How big can a community dream? The possibilities are endless when you envision together. Pastor Leach, of Memphis Town Community Action Group (CAG), understood this truth and is on a mission to unlock the potential of Columbus, Mississippi. Memphis Town, designated a Superfund site, was a home of a former wood treatment plant that left toxic levels of creosote, the known carcinogen, in the soil.
After decades of living with the blight left behind, Memphis Town Community Action Group seeks to transform the site into a place of promise.
“After so many years of disinvestment, it is time to invest in the people, homes, and communities that have been left behind time and time again,” observed Pastor Leach.
Pastor Leach and his team, along with a spectrum of stakeholders from the community, spanning from Columbus, Mississippi Mayor Keith Gaskin to residents impacted by the Superfund site, have a plan to turn the site into a hub for vibrant community living and economic development. They envision a multi-pronged approach with many partners.
Housing: First, community members want to start where they live: their home. By definition, a home is a place that provides shelter and safety. This definition of a safe shelter includes access to safe water and sewage systems. This isn’t the case for the residents of Memphis Town, where approximately 120 homes in the Public Housing Authority and many additional single-family homes are affected by clay pipes causing wastewater issues during heavy rain events. CAG will work with local housing authorities to update these homes so families can live safely. The CAG is committed to ensuring that every home in the community is also climate resilient. That includes access to new energy-efficient windows and doors, and cool roofs to stave off extreme heat events. Finally, all new HVAC units installed will be electric heat pumps so that homes will meet weatherization standards.
Economic Mobility: Employment is also a critical part of community revitalization. Recognizing the high rate of people without high school diplomas in this community, CAG is partnering with local businesses, colleges, universities, and high schools to initiate an apprenticeship program to enter the green workforce. The program will offer installation and maintenance training services in solar, heat pump, and other technologies. Additionally, CAG wants to partner with local high schools and colleges to teach students to engage their public officials to make meaningful change in their community.
Community Spaces: At a community level, CAG aims to bring solar into a community park. From benches to charging stations, lighting, electric buildings, EV charging stations and more—they will partner with the Parks and Recreation department to see this vision come to fruition, all so that the people can enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation in the absence of harmful pollution caused by traditional energy sources.
The cornerstone project, and the most long-term vision, is the transformation of a 40-acre Superfund site. Pastor Leach, an engineer by training, originally wanted to further contain the site by layering on top a parking lot and then possibly adding green technology, like solar lights and a microgrid. But after engaging with several community members, stakeholders and local officials, CAG is now planning to turn this $8 million investment into a multiplex—for sports, concerts, and storm sheltering. It will also create jobs for local community members, from construction to concessions. Across the road, CAG envisions erecting a shopping plaza to bolster local economic development. The possibilities for the multiplex are endless, and will take a countless number of partners, investors, and stewards to see this vision to completion.
Pastor Leach and his team became members of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice’s (DSCEJ) Justice40 Accelerator Program in 2023. It was at a convening hosted by DSCEJ where they learned about the Capacity Building Roadmap, and then were able to fully articulate their vision to Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin using the roadmap as a metaphor. Since then, Pastor Leach says Mayor Gaskin has fully committed to the vision. Today, the CAG is part of the DSCEJ’s Technical Assistance for Thriving Communities program, also called the Community Investment Recovery Center (CIRC). Through their participation, the CAG team has had opportunities to hear directly from federal funders and received helpful insights into the application process they might not have received if applying without being part of the TCTAC.
Now Pastor Leach and his team are waiting to hear back from the Community Change Grant (CCG) they submitted for a whopping $20M. Projects under CCG aim to significantly improve environmental, climate, pollution, and resilience conditions affecting disadvantaged communities. They will continue to submit a handful of grants in the coming weeks. As excited as they are about the opportunity the submitted grants hold, they are equally eager to share what they’ve learned along the way with others. They see their success as a win not just for their community, but for environmental justice movements in communities across the nation.
The Community Investment & Recovery Center (CIRC) Will Help More Than 250 Regional Organizations Secure Vital Federal Funding for Environmental Justice Concerns
New Orleans, LA – The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) announces the launch of an online resource for its Community Investment & Recovery Center (CIRC), one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC). Over the next five years, DSCEJ will assist more than 250 community-based organizations in rural and underserved communities in applying for and accessing $50 to $100 million in grants to address their community’s environmental challenges.
Through the CIRC, DSCEJ will provide technical assistance and help build capacity for the community-based organizations to put them in the best possible position to secure federal funding through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 initiative, a whole-of-government approach to ensuring 40% of climate investments flow to underserved communities that are overburdened by pollution.
The launch of the online resource is a part of the CIRC information and outreach hub to serve communities in EPA Regions 4 and 6, which span 13 states and 72 tribes. Community-based organizations interested in accessing technical assistance services provided by DSCEJ’s CIRC program can go online to complete the CIRC Capacity Assessment.
“The historic investments made by the Biden-Harris Administration in environmental justice are coming to bear. We are looking forward to serving communities to build their capacities and secure funds now available to them through the administrations’ Investing in America agenda to improve environmental conditions and reduce climate risks,” said Dr. Beverly Wright, founder and executive director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. “We have spent decades building the relationships and capacity needed to have an impact on this scale. While our goal is ambitious, we know the most effective solutions are those closest to the community, and now is the time to act on them.”
In August, the EPA awarded DSCEJ a $13 million grant over five years to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns. DSCEJ is among 16 entities selected nationally through a partnership between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to house Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) and receive $177 million in grant funding.
The EJ TCTAC program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network. The new technical assistance centers will help ensure communities with environmental justice concerns can access President Biden’s historic investments in America to address generational disinvestment, legacy pollution, and infrastructure challenges and build a clean energy economy that will lower energy costs, strengthen our energy security, and meet our climate goals.
NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 14, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), members of Congress, and other elected officials celebrated a $13 million grant over five years to the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ). The DSCEJ is among 16 entities selected nationally through a partnership between EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to house Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) and receive a total of $177 million in grant funding. The grants will help underserved and overburdened communities across the country access funds from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for a variety of activities to advance environmental justice (EJ).
“Almost one year ago on September 24, 2022, Administrator Regan alongside EJ and civil rights leaders in Warren County, North Carolina – the site of protests 40 years ago that launched the EJ movement – announced the establishment of the Office of Environmental Justice and Civil Rights,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “Today, in partnership with Region 6 and in direct response to feedback from communities, EJ leaders and their partners, I would like to congratulate the DSCEJ for being one of just 16 entities selected nationwide to aid communities throughout the U.S.”
“The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice has accomplished so much since its inception—including building local community capacity to address environmental justice challenges and routinely assisting communities who lack access to federal funding. Their work raises awareness about frontline communities that deserve protection from disproportionate pollution and climate change,” said Region 6 Deputy Regional Administrator Stacey Dwyer. “This grant and the creation of this hub represent a step forward in realizing a dream for Gulf Coast Region families to thrive through clean air, water and energy. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Deep South Center for their innovative work in improving the lives of residents in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast.”
“We are thrilled to receive this grant and to be selected as one of only 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers in the country by the EPA and the Department of Energy,” said Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of DSCEJ. “President Biden’s historic investments in environmental justice are a result of decades of advocacy by communities like ours in the Deep South and across the country. We are proud to be part of this effort, and look forward to helping break down these barriers to help our communities access the federal resources available to them so our children can grow up in an environment free from the dangers of pollution.”
“I’m fighting to ensure federal investments flow to underserved communities that will foster environmental justice in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. I proudly voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made this funding a reality. As one of the sixteen esteemed organizations selected nationwide to host TCTACs, DSCEJ will be critical in advancing environmental justice and sustainable development. This will be more than just a center – it will be a beacon of hope, a catalyst for change, and a hub of expertise. This investment will facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaborative initiatives that empower our community to drive sustainability forward. By addressing environmental justice challenges, we are working towards a world where all Louisianans can flourish,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).
“Underserved communities across Florida have long borne the brunt of environmental inequities and lacked the tools needed to overcome these challenges,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20). “Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, this expansive network of assistance centers will remain a fundamental resource and serve communities that are most in need of support.”
“As a strong advocate for environmental justice, I am pleased to see the EPA’s announcement of a significant $130 million grant to the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. This funding under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda will undoubtedly play a crucial role in empowering communities across Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District to access historic resources aimed at addressing environmental disparities,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-2). “This investment reaffirms our commitment to addressing environmental injustices in our communities and ensuring that all residents have equal opportunities to live in healthy environments. I commend the EPA for their efforts and look forward to collaborating with the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice to achieve a more equitable and sustainable future.”
DSCEJ will receive $13 million over five years to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns. Their goals include building organizational capacity of at least 250 Community-Based Organizations (CBO) in underserved communities in Regions 4 and 6 in areas such as research and community engagement; assist CBOs in applying for $50-100 million in grants over the five-year performance period; and scale up the reach and impact of their new Community Investment and Recovery Center to sustain capacity-building services for the long term.
EPA will deliver these resources in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, whose funding allows the EJ TCTACs to provide support for identifying community opportunities for clean energy transition and financing options, including public-private partnerships supporting clean energy demonstration, deployment, workforce development and outreach opportunities that advance energy justice objectives.
The formation of the EJ TCTACs is in direct response to feedback from communities and environmental justice leaders who have long called for technical assistance and capacity-building support for communities and their partners as they work to access critical federal resources. The 16 centers will provide comprehensive coverage for the entire United States through a network of over 160 partners, including community-based organizations, additional academic institutions, and Environmental Finance Centers so that more communities can access federal funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The EJ TCTAC program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. The new technical assistance centers will help ensure communities with environmental justice concerns can access President Biden’s historic investments in America to address generational disinvestment, legacy pollution, infrastructure challenges, and build a clean energy economy that will lower energy costs, strengthen our energy security, and meet our climate goals.
Learn more about the selectees, their partners and the EJ TCTAC program.
