FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2025
CONTACT: Report authors are available to answer media questions. To arrange an interview, please direct media inquiries to shannanlenke.stoll@envirodatagov.org.
Cutting EPA’s Environmental Justice Grants Harms the Economy, Report Shows
September 11, 2025 – The EPA’s withdrawal of $2.5 billion in environmental justice grants is an economic blow to communities across the country. According to a new report by the Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI), the terminated grants would remove over $6 billion in economic benefits, including 65,000 jobs, reaching every county in the U.S.
While Administrator Zeldin’s press office calls these grants wasteful, they are actually highly targeted, addressing health, infrastructure, and education in parts of the country with the greatest need in these areas. The majority of grants intended to fund clean air projects (69%) and clean water projects (74%), for example, were located in areas of the country with the worst air quality and worst water quality. Additionally, 48% of the total economic benefits would occur in “disadvantaged” areas, as identified by the EPA.
“Withdrawing these funds harms the economy—everywhere, but especially in places where people are struggling the most,” says lead author Christopher Cane. “These projects would have improved the lives and health of people who are some of the most impacted by environmental hazards and pollution. Withdrawing funds is deeply harmful and we hope they will be reinstated.”
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The Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI) analyzes federal environmental data, websites, institutions, and policy. We seek to improve environmental data stewardship and to promote environmental health and environmental justice.