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Closures of EPA’s regional environmental justice offices will hurt rural America, ex-employees warn

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lailluminator.com – Julia Tilton, The Daily Yonder – 2025-03-25 05:00:00

by Julia Tilton, The Daily Yonder, Louisiana Illuminator
March 25, 2025

Environmental justice efforts at the 10 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional offices have stopped and employees have been placed on administrative leave, per an announcement from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin earlier this month. Former EPA employees involved with environmental justice work across the country say rural communities will suffer as a result.

Before being shuttered in early March, the EPA’s environmental justice arm was aimed at making sure communities were being treated fairly and receiving their due protection under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Zealan Hoover, former senior advisor to the EPA administrator under the Biden administration, told the Daily Yonder that this work had big implications for rural places since there are pollution concerns in rural areas across the country.

“EPA was very focused on making sure that not just on the regulatory side, but also on the investment side, we were pushing resources into rural communities,” Hoover said.

According to Hoover, most of the pollution challenges the U.S. faces are not new. He said that the employees — now on leave — who staffed the EPA’s regional environmental justice offices were deeply knowledgeable on the issues affecting communities in their regions; issues which can go on for decades. Hoover said he worries about recent changes to the agency under the Trump administration, which also include a series of deregulatory actions and a proposed 65% budget cut.

“I trust that the great folks at EPA who remain will still try valiantly to fill those gaps, but the reality is that this administration is pushing to cut EPA’s budget, pushing employees to leave, and that’s going to restrict EPA’s ability to help rural communities tackle their most significant pollution challenges,” Hoover said.

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One rural community that has faced years of environmental challenges is where Sherri White-Williamson lives in rural Sampson County, North Carolina. In 2021, the county’s landfill ranked second on the list of highest methane emitters in the U.S. The county is also the second-largest producer of hogs nationwide, and in 2022, it accounted for nearly 3% of all U.S. hog sales.

The hog industry is known for its pollution from open waste storage pits that emit toxic chemicals into nearby neighborhoods. For years, concerns about North Carolina’s hog industry have centered on the disproportionate harm that its pollution does to low-income communities and communities of color since hog farms frequently locate their operations adjacent to such communities in rural counties.

White-Williamson is also an EPA veteran. She worked on environmental justice initiatives at the agency’s Washington, D.C., office for over a decade before moving back home to southeastern North Carolina. She is now the executive director of the Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN), which she founded in Sampson County in 2020 to empower her neighbors amidst environmental challenges like those wrought by the hog farms and the landfill.

In her early work with EJCAN, White-Williamson said she noticed that conversations about environmental justice often centered on urban areas. Since then, White Williamson said she has focused on educating the public about what environmental justice looks like in rural communities.

“A lot of our issues have to do with what the cities don’t want or dispose of will end up in our communities,” White-Williamson said. “The pollution, the pesticides, the remnants of the food processing all ends up or stays here while all of the nice, clean, freshly prepared product ends up in a local urban grocery store somewhere.”

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Another misconception about environmental justice, according to White-Williamson, is that it exists exclusively to serve communities of color. During her time at the EPA, White-Williamson said she spent time in communities with all kinds of racial demographics while working on environmental justice initiatives.

“I spent a lot of time in places like West Virginia and Kentucky, and places where the populations aren’t necessarily of color, but they are poor-income or low-income places where folks do not have access to the levers of power,” White-Williamson said.

When pollution impacts local health in communities without access to such “levers of power,” the EPA’s regional environmental justice offices were a resource—and a form of accountability.

Without those offices, it will be more difficult for rural communities to get the services they need to address health concerns, said Margot Brown, senior vice president of justice and equity at the Environmental Defense Fund.

“They’re dismantling the ecosystem of health protections for rural Americans, and by dismantling them, they’ll make them more susceptible to future hazards,” Brown said of the Trump administration’s decisions at the EPA. “It will impair health and well-being for generations to come.”

Brown worked at the EPA for nearly 10 years under President Obama and then under President Trump during his first administration. Her time there included a stint as deputy director of the Office of Children’s Health Protection. She, along with Hoover and White-Williamson, said that community members will likely need to turn to their state governments or departments of environmental quality in the absence of the regional environmental justice offices.

But White-Williamson noted that state governments, too, receive federal funding. Frozen funds across federal agencies and cuts to health care programs, including Medicaid, could wind up compounding challenges for rural communities trying to mitigate environmental health impacts.

“The communities that most need the assistance and guidance will again find themselves on the short end of the stick and end up being the ones that are suffering more than anybody else,” White-Williamson said.

Hoover described it as a “one-two punch” for rural communities. On the one hand, he said, rural places are losing access to healthcare facilities because of budget cuts.

“And on the other hand, they are also sicker because the government is no longer stopping polluters from polluting their air and their water.”

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This report was originally published in the Daily Yonder. For more rural reporting and small-town stories visit dailyyonder.com.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

This report was originally published in the Daily Yonder. For more rural reporting and small-town stories visit dailyyonder.com.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Northgate Mall sold for redevelopment – The Current

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thecurrentla.com – Christiaan Mader – 2025-06-17 09:29:00

SUMMARY: Jacoby Landry, a Breaux Bridge-based builder, purchased Lafayette’s Northgate Mall for \$2.8 million with plans to transform it into a mixed-use hub anchored by a spa, fitness center, and indoor pickleball courts. The 20.8-acre site will blend retail and professional services, aiming to revitalize North Lafayette. Supported by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) and the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority, the redevelopment leverages new legislation empowering LEDA as a redevelopment authority. The mall sits in a special taxing district generating \$400,000 annually. Landry, a local with deep ties to the community, views this as a transformative investment in the area.

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Morning Forecast – Tuesday, June 17th

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www.youtube.com – KTVE – 2025-06-17 09:09:53

SUMMARY: Tuesday, June 17th’s morning forecast indicates scattered showers and thunderstorms ahead of a weak front. Southerly winds will keep conditions muggy, with temperatures reaching the lower 90s and heat indices rising into the triple digits later. Rain chances should wane by early afternoon, though patchy storms remain possible in the Mississippi River Valley. Most convective activity is near the I-49 corridor, with storms shifting eastward by evening. A ridge will build late in the week, reducing storm coverage and increasing heat, possibly prompting heat advisories. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor exposure. Tomorrow is National Go Fishing Day, with special events at Kiroli Park.

We are still tracking a few scattered showers and thunderstorms this morning. All of this ahead of a weak front. Winds will remain southerly, and conditions are still expected to be very muggy. We should get a break from the rain in the early afternoon. There is still a chance for patchy storms in the Mississippi River Valley. Temperatures will reach into the lower 90’s. With the humidity as is, heat index values will reach into the triple digits moving forward. Heat safety will need to be practiced moving forward. Patchy storms to linger through Friday as a cold front approaches but doesn’t full move through. We will sit in this very muggy airmass through early next week.

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Roads, OMV upgrades, voting machines: Louisiana lawmakers plan to spend $1.2 billion from savings

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lailluminator.com – Julie O’Donoghue – 2025-06-10 06:40:00


Louisiana lawmakers plan to withdraw \$1.2 billion from the state’s Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to fund infrastructure, economic development, and technology upgrades. The budget includes \$709M for roads and bridges, \$150M for development sites, and \$59.8M for government tech. Notable allocations include \$280M to attract federal transportation funds, \$101M for bridge maintenance, \$75M for water systems, and \$29M for college repairs. Other spending supports voting machine upgrades, a marketing campaign, and AI monitoring in prisons. Though Louisiana isn’t in a budget crisis, lawmakers cite strong reserve balances. After the withdrawal, \$2.7B remains in the trust fund.

by Julie O’Donoghue, Louisiana Illuminator
June 10, 2025

The Louisiana Legislature’s leaders want to spend $1.2 billion that would typically be deposited into a state savings account on infrastructure, economic development and technology upgrades. 

State lawmakers expect to send Gov. Jeff Landry a $48 billion budget plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1 by the time their legislative session concludes Thursday. The current plan includes additional money for roadways and bridges ($709 million), economic development site upgrades ($150 million), state government technology improvements ($59.8 million) and public university maintenance projects ($28 million).

The money comes from a state savings account called the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, which takes in corporate taxes as well as energy production taxes in excess of $600 million each per year. Established by voters in 2016, the fund was set up to provide an additional source of funding to Louisiana during economic downturns when the state faces budget crises.

Lawmakers gave themselves a significant amount of latitude in the law to access the fund at any time, so long as they can get two-thirds of the House and Senate to vote to draw down the money.

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The Senate voted unanimously Monday through House Bill 461 to withdraw $1.2 billion. The House is expected to approve the same plan Wednesday or Thursday. 

Louisiana is not in the midst of a budget crisis but legislators feel confident about using the money anyway because the state’s two major savings accounts are flush with cash. They also took $717 million out of the account just last year, mostly for transportation and youth prison projects.

Even after the withdrawal, the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund will have $2.7 billion left. There’s also more than $1.1 billion in the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, a separate account often referred to as the state “rainy day” fund used to cover budget shortfalls.

Here are some highlights of how the money will be spent:

$280 million: Transportation funding to attract federal money 

Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, said this allocation will be used to draw down $1.3 billion in federal funding for transportation projects that could include both new construction and maintenance of existing infrastructure. A list of specific items that would be funded was not provided.

$240 million: Transportation preservation projects

This money would be used to fix and upgrade existing transportation infrastructure, according to McFarland. On top of this money, an additional $63 million is going directly to state transportation districts, where it can also be used for that purpose.

$150 million: Louisiana economic development site investment

The Louisiana Economic Development agency requested this funding in order to pay for physical upgrades and infrastructure at specific sites where the state hopes to attract private sector investment.

For example, the state has already committed to spending millions of dollars to build new roads around the site of the anticipated Hyundai steel mill in Ascension Parish. It will also reimburse Hyundai for some of the construction the company undertakes to build its facility at that location, according to The Times-Picayune. It’s unclear whether any of this funding is committed to the Hyundai project or others recently announced. 

On top of this allocation, the economic development agency will also receive an additional $74 million for its “debt service and commitments program” from the $1.2 billion. The department will also get $5 million to launch a marketing campaign for the state. 

$101 million: Bridge upgrades

McFarland said Louisiana intends to “bundle up” bridge maintenance projects – around 20 at a time – and put them out to bid as a collective in order to get a better price on the construction work. This money would be used to pay for that work. 

$75 million: Water system upgrades 

This money is supposed to be used to improve local drinking water and sewerage systems in Louisiana. The state has put hundreds of millions of dollars toward similar projects since 2021, but the repairs needed are estimated to cost billions of dollars. 

$29 million: College campus deferred maintenance 

The funding will support delayed construction projects and repairs at public universities and colleges. It includes $3 million for work at the University of New Orleans, which is being transferred to the LSU System later this year. 

$24.1 million: OMV technology upgrades

The state Office of Motor Vehicles experienced outages of its system this spring, leading Gov. Jeff Landry to declare a state of emergency and waive driver’s license fees  as members of the public struggled to access the system. The technology motor vehicle offices rely on is approximately 50 years old. 

$10 million: LIV Golf and other ‘major’ events

Lawmakers will combine this money with other state funds in the Major Events Incentive Fund for a total of $16.4 million in spending for tourist-heavy events that are expected to generate revenue.

These include $7 million for a LIV Golf League event in New Orleans; $3.5 million for the months-long U.S. Bowling Congress Tournament in Baton Rouge; $1.2 million for Essence Festival in New Orleans and $1.5 million for an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in New Orleans.

$10 million: New voting machines

For years, Louisiana has been trying to purchase new voting machines to replace ones that are more than three decades old. This allocation comes as lawmakers passed legislation to change the bid process for purchasing a voting system earlier this month. 

$5 million: Upgrade to Medicaid eligibility system 

This money is supposed to allow Louisiana to upgrade the technology it uses to make sure Medicaid recipients are eligible for the public health insurance benefit. The Louisiana Department of Health recently announced its intention to start cross-checking its Medicaid rolls with other state databases, including those used by the Office of Motor Vehicles.

$4 million: More grass cutting on state roads

This allocation will be used to pay for additional cycles of mowing along state roads over the next fiscal cycle. 

$3 million: AI tool for monitoring state prisoner phone calls

Louisiana’s prison system will receive $3 million to help pay for an artificial intelligence tool that monitors and collects data on phone calls from state prisoners. The program Verus, made by the company LeoTech, is used to detect criminal activity, prevent self-harm and assist with public safety, according to the LeoTech’s website.

The company says it does not monitor communication between incarcerated people and their attorneys, spiritual advisors or doctors. 

$3 million: Louisiana Supreme Court building security

The court is receiving a blanket $1.8 million to upgrade security at its facility in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Another $1.1 million has been allocated specifically for additional fencing around the building. 

$1.8 million: State police payment for the ‘recapture of fugitives’

The state’s top law enforcement agency is receiving $1.8 million for “expenses related to the recapture of fugitives.”

It’s not stated explicitly, but this money may be going to reimburse state police for assisting with the 10-person jailbreak that occurred at the New Orleans jail in May.

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Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

The post Roads, OMV upgrades, voting machines: Louisiana lawmakers plan to spend $1.2 billion from savings appeared first on lailluminator.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a detailed and factual account of Louisiana’s legislative budget decisions without any overt editorializing or partisan language. It describes how funds are being allocated across various sectors such as infrastructure, economic development, technology upgrades, and public safety, reflecting a pragmatic approach to governance. The emphasis on bipartisan legislative approval and the inclusion of multiple perspectives and facts suggests a neutral stance aimed at informing readers rather than advocating a particular political viewpoint.

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