Executive Order 12898: How the Trump Administration’s Recent Executive Orders Have Reversed 30 Years of Progress to Achieve Environmental Justice
Sacoby M. Wilson
Signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, Executive Order (EO) 12998 remains a cornerstone of environmental justice (EJ) policy as it focused on the disproportionate environmental and human health impacts on low-income communities of color. It directed federal agencies to incorporate EJ principles into their decision-making processes and ensured that all communities, regardless of race or income, have equal protection from environmental and health hazards. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits, negative consequences, and recommendations for the continued evolution of environmental justice based on the EO:
Institutionalization of Environmental Justice: It required that federal agencies consider EJ in their policies, programs, and activities. The order led to the creation of Interagency Working Groups (IWG) on Environmental Justice, promoting collaboration across different government entities, including the EPA, Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services.The recent Executive Order signed by President Trump has essentially been a fundamental blow to the progress made over the last 30+ years because it codifies to: “terminate, to the maximum extent allowed by law, all ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions (including but not limited to ‘Chief Diversity Officer’ positions); all ‘equity action plans,’ ‘equity’ actions, initiatives, or programs, ‘equity-related’ grants or contracts.
Improved Collaboration with State and Local Governments: The EO also encouraged states and local governments to incorporate EJ principles into their own policies. It created funding opportunities, such as grants through the EPA, for states and local entities to address EJ concerns and build capacity for addressing these issues. The recent and regressive Trump actions have terminated such grants that have not officially been awarded, representing a profound downshift from the progressive EJ efforts made since 1994.
Formalize the role of communities in decision-making processes. With attacks on the EJ movement by the current administration, it is now more important than ever to include community members in any decision-making processes. This includes community-led pollution mitigation strategies, as well as community-informed funding allocation at the municipality and neighborhood resolution, using awarded funds that cannot be legally terminated from the Trump Administration.
Protect and Expand EJ Offices and Positions. Advocate for the reinstatement or protection of offices or positions dedicated to EJ, such as the EJ Officer and any other positions that serve as a direct liaison to community members. An example of this is the Maryland Department of the Environment, which has an EJ officer within the entire agency, as well as its Air and Radiation Administration, to streamline residential complaints and actions against environmental pathogens. These roles play a key part in keeping the government accountable to EJ goals and ensuring policies reflect the needs of vulnerable communities.
The Trump administration’s recent executive orders will result in swift and significant regression in the fight for environmental justice, directly undermining the protections established by Executive Order 12898. As we look ahead, it is increasingly important to reaffirm EO 12898. By strengthening community-led initiatives, state and local government collaboration, and institutionalizing EJ within state and local policies, we can ensure that the fight for EJ continues to thrive, despite setbacks. The fight for environmental justice is far from over, and CEEJH will continue to stand against policies that seek to erase the progress made over the last 30 years. More than ever, we are determined to be resilient to advance fight for environmental justice and to ensure that all communities have access to healthy and safe conditions in which to work, eat, sleep, play, and thrive.