Republican Attorneys General Criticize Biden’s EPA for Investigating Cases of Environmental Discrimination

Republican attorneys general, led by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, have launched a scathing attack on the Biden administration’s pursuit of environmental justice, labeling it as “racial engineering.” In a petition to the EPA, they demanded the agency stop using civil rights laws to investigate actions that unintentionally harm minority groups more than white residents.

The GOP officials argue that the EPA should focus on enforcing existing environmental laws rather than advancing what they see as Biden’s extreme agenda under the guise of environmental justice. They are pushing for changes to decades-old rules, although they acknowledge that civil rights laws could still be applied in cases of intentional discrimination.

Despite the petition, the Biden administration, particularly EPA Administrator Michael Regan, has been vocal about addressing environmental injustices, such as those faced by majority-Black communities living near polluters. The EPA has utilized Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to investigate and pressure states to make policy changes to address disparities.

The petition by the Republican attorneys general reflects a broader resistance to federal policies aimed at addressing historical racial discrimination. They believe recent court decisions, such as the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, signal a skepticism towards race-conscious federal policies.

Environmental and civil rights groups have expressed concerns that the EPA’s recent actions, including dropping investigations into discriminatory practices, may undermine efforts to combat environmental discrimination. Despite facing legal challenges and a conservative Supreme Court, Regan remains committed to using Title VI to fight environmental injustices, albeit acknowledging the complexities and legal obstacles involved.