1. United States
2. Nev.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's decision to shutter the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) environmental justice and civil rights office is deeply concerning. This longstanding office plays a crucial role in addressing the disproportionate burden of pollution and environmental hazards faced by disadvantaged and marginalized communities. Dismantling it undermines efforts to promote environmental equity and civil rights protections. The move reflects a troubling disregard for the well-documented disparities in exposure to pollution, toxic waste sites, and other environmental risks. These issues often have severe consequences for public health, particularly in low-income areas and communities of color. The elimination of this office signals a step backward in the fight for environmental justice and equal protection under the law. It is imperative that the EPA maintain dedicated resources and personnel focused on identifying and mitigating the environmental injustices that persist across the country. Shuttering this office not only marginalizes vulnerable communities but also undermines the EPA's core mission to protect human health and the environment for all Americans. I urge you to take action to reverse this misguided decision and reinstate the EPA's environmental justice and civil rights office. Ensuring equitable protection from environmental harms is a moral and legal obligation that must be upheld.