Environmental Justice

Anger Over Data Centers Is Fueling a New Political Movement

"Justin Pearson, a Tennessee lawmaker, has become one of the loudest voices amid a growing national backlash against the pollution and politics of America's AI buildout."

Source: Politico, 08/04/2026

Trump DOJ Bids To Block Public From Suing To Enforce Environmental Laws

"Reducing rampant pollution across the United States was so important that when Congress passed many environmental protection laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, it didn’t want to leave enforcement only to the executive branch. Congress specifically wrote into those laws ways for citizens to enforce them through the courts when the government does not act to address the problem."

Source: The Conversation, 08/04/2026

Taming the Freight Beast

The U.S. freight system delivers significant environmental impacts nationwide, especially in states that host major rail-and-road hubs and seaports. Meanwhile, new federal laws and policies are making it harder to curtail pollution generated by freight trucks, trains and warehouses. Journalist John Lippert looks at how the public, private and nonprofit sectors are rising to this challenge.

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Radioactive Waste Stack Looms and Expands Beside Fla. Black Community

"Progress Village was established decades ago to provide affordable housing for Black residents near Tampa. The phosphogypsum stack, containing the toxic waste of fertilizer production, is right next door."

Source: Inside Climate News, 08/03/2026

Amid AI Boom, Coal Returns — With a Familiar Cost To Black Neighbors

"Trump’s order keeping an Orlando coal plant online renews environmental justice concerns over who pays AI’s pollution bill." "The fight over Stanton Unit 1 illustrates how America's AI boom could prolong coal pollution that has historically fallen hardest on Black communities."

Source: Word in Black, 07/31/2026

DOJ’s Environmental Enforcement Collapsed Under Trump 2.0; Lawyers Exit

"The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division recently changed its name to the Energy and Natural Resources Division and added “unleashing American energy” to its mission."

Source: Inside Climate News, 07/29/2026

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