Lawsuit Seeks to Reinstate Climate & Environmental Grants
TL/DR –
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its administrator, Lee Zeldin, are facing a class-action lawsuit after cancelling $3 billion in grant funding for climate and environmental programs in disadvantaged communities. A coalition of over 20 nonprofits, Tribes and municipalities have filed the lawsuit, arguing that the termination of the funding violates Congress’ spending power and legislative authority, effectively repealing a congressional enactment. The lawsuit centres on two executive orders issued by President Donald Trump which either terminated or halted the disbursement of funds allocated under these acts.
EPA Class-Action Lawsuit Over $3 Billion Grant Funding Cancelation
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its administrator, Lee Zeldin, are now the defendants in a class-action lawsuit due to the cancellation of $3 billion in grant funding for climate and environmental programs in disadvantaged communities.
The lawsuit was filed on June 25, contending that the EPA violated the Constitution by eliminating the Environmental and Climate Justice Program, authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Clean Air Act.
Arguing that “the EPA’s termination of the program is unlawful,” the lawsuit asserts that this action infringes on Congress’ spending power and legislative authority. The plaintiffs – over 20 nonprofits, tribes, and municipalities – had secured funding for various community programs addressing issues like disaster preparedness, air quality, and energy costs.
The lawsuit calls for the reinstatement of the grants and the provision of resources to assist funded programs. The Southern Environmental Law Center, Earthjustice, Public Rights Project, and Lawyers for Good Government filed the lawsuit, naming the EPA and Zeldin as defendants.
Senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, Ben Grillot, stated, “this administration’s decisions are having significant impacts on communities across the country. Their decision to do this was unlawful and not based on the project’s merits but on a disagreement with Congress.”
The lawsuit stems from two executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. One directed federal agencies to halt funds allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act, which included clean energy initiatives. The second order mandated the termination of all equity-related grants or contracts within 60 days.
Several plaintiffs were forced to cut back on staff and programming due to the abrupt end in funding. Appalachian Voices, an environmental nonprofit, had planned to use its grant for projects in rural Virginia, where the economy has been impacted by the decline in coal resources.
Unfortunately, without grant funding, crucial projects like a riverwalk in flood-prone Pound, Virginia, designed to prevent floodwater damage and harmful substance dispersion, cannot proceed. “People were disillusioned before we got these grants. If you cannot count on an awarded grant from the federal government, who can you count on?” said Emma Kelly, new economy program manager at Appalachian Voices.
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