EPA Quietly Abolishes Key Environmental Justice Advisory Council

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has dissolved the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), a long-standing body established in 1993 to address pollution’s disproportionate impact on communities of color and low-income areas. The move came in response to a directive from former President Donald Trump to eliminate “unnecessary” advisory panels.
NEJAC played a critical role in integrating environmental justice into agency decisions and improving public health in vulnerable communities. Its abolition, along with two other advisory councils created during the Biden administration, was revealed through a Freedom of Information Act request to POLITICO’s E&E News. The EPA cited a publicly available database to justify the action.
The dissolution of NEJAC marks a significant shift in the agency’s approach to addressing environmental disparities. Advocates warn that the move could undermine efforts to ensure equitable solutions for marginalized communities affected by pollution and environmental hazards.

Published: 5/23/2025