The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recalled dozens of environmental justice staffers who were previously placed on administrative leave pending possible termination, three former senior agency officials told Inside Climate News.
The recalled staff, whose exact number remains unspecified, are being reassigned to project management roles and other duties across the EPA regional offices.
“Most of the staff are being called back into regional offices, largely to manage the Community Change Grants and to continue other responsibilities such as maintaining relationships with communities, local governments, tribes and state partners,” said Matthew Tejada, former deputy assistant administrator for environmental justice within EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.
Under the Biden administration, the EPA launched the Community Change Grants program, which, for the first time, provided up to $20 million directly to community organizations to address pollution, infrastructure challenges and climate resilience.
