Representatives John Garamendi and Mark DeSaulnier have urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse its decision to terminate a $19.1 million Community Change Grant for Contra Costa County’s North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative. This funding, sourced from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Community Change Grants Program, was intended for environmental and climate justice projects, including a resiliency center and tree planting near Verde Elementary schoolyard.
The lawmakers’ letter to the EPA cited “serious violations of federal appropriations law, federal court injunctions,” and expressed concerns about transparency during the termination process. Congressman Garamendi stated that “the EPA’s decision to revoke critical funding for North Richmond’s environmental resilience without lawful justification or proper notice is a serious violation of Congress’s constitutional spending authority and federal law.”
Congressman DeSaulnier emphasized that “the Trump Administration’s cancellation of congressionally appropriated funds…is illegal, unconstitutional, and harmful to our communities.” Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia also criticized the grant’s cancellation as it deprived one of the Bay Area’s lowest-income communities of vital resources.
The full text of their letter addressed to EPA Administrator Lee M. Zeldin outlined alleged breaches in contract terms with Contra Costa County and non-compliance with federal regulations requiring written notice before terminating grants. The initiative aimed at reducing air pollution exposure due to industrial activities in North Richmond now faces uncertainty regarding its future.
