EPA justifies canceling $19.1 million North Richmond grant, labeling it ‘discriminatory’

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a letter last week justified pulling a $19.1 million grant aimed at shielding children in North Richmond from pollution and advancing emergency preparedness because the grant provided funding for “[Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] or environmental justice initiatives.”

The letter last Friday came in response to a message calling on the agency to reverse its termination of the Community Change Grant sent in April by U.S. Reps. John Garamendi and Mark DeSaulnier, both Democrats representing East Bay districts.