James Blocks EPA’s Illegal Grant Cut

New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken a stand against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for what she and a coalition of 19 other attorneys general argue is the illegal termination of the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program.

The program, established by Congress under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, was meant to support communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. James and her allies assert that the EPA’s abrupt termination has caused significant harm to low-income and minority communities.

“These climate and environmental justice grants are a lifeline for communities that have been historically left behind,” James said. “When the federal government breaks its promises to our most vulnerable communities, the consequences can be devastating.”

In their amicus brief filed in Appalachian Voices v. EPA, the coalition emphasizes that the termination is inflicting lasting harm on communities already burdened by pollution and climate change. These communities often lack resources, struggle with inadequate infrastructure, and are less equipped to recover from extreme weather events.

The grant program, which allocated $3 billion nationwide, provided New York grantees over $70 million for projects ranging from protecting residents from extreme heat to combating flooding. The termination has forced grantees to lay off staff, halt programming, and freeze hiring.

Attorney General James is determined to restore the grant program to ensure protection for New Yorkers as they combat the climate crisis. “My office is fighting to ensure this grant program is restored,” she said.