The Biden-Harris administration's advisors on environmental justice are facing criticism over the allocation of hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars under their influence.
According to Daily Caller, critics claim the distribution process presents a conflict due to the significant share of funds directed towards organizations tied to the council, potentially influencing key policy decisions.
The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) was established in January 2021 through an executive order by President Joe Biden. This 36-member council was tasked with guiding federal policy on environmental justice, a prominent issue within the current administration's agenda.
With Vice President Kamala Harris's support, since its inception, WHEJAC has been involved in distributing nearly half a billion dollars in grants. These funds stem from the $41.5 billion designated by the Inflation Reduction Act to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed at advancing environmental initiatives.
A substantial portion of these grants, totaling over $230 million, has been awarded to organizations directly represented on WHEJAC. Several members of WHEJAC have become partners in managing a $200 million slice of the EPA's $600 million Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJTCG) program.
One notable recipient is the Bullard Center at Texas Southern University, represented by WHEJAC member Robert Bullard. In December 2023, the center was awarded a $50 million grant from the EJTCG program. This sizeable award was followed by an additional $156 million in April for community solar initiatives.
Smaller distributions, each totaling less than half a million, have been given to organizations like the Ironbound Community Corporation, Appalachian Voices, and the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, as confirmed by the EPA in October 2023.
This allocation process has sparked concerns about conflicts of interest due to the considerable financial benefits accruing to groups with close ties to the council. Critics argue that WHEJAC's recommendations could be biased in favor of the organizations they represent.
Mandy Gunasekara, a former energy official, argued that the council's operations reflect a conflict of interest. She stated, "It is a very clear conflict of interest, and no one is going to be providing objective advice.”
Gunasekara further criticized the broader impact of WHEJAC’s policies on communities, particularly those with lower incomes. She noted that over the last few years, some recommended measures have made living conditions more challenging due to inflation and costly energy resources.
Vice President Harris has continued to champion WHEJAC's mission, emphasizing the necessity of members' insight. In March 2021, she stressed the importance of their input in policy development.
Despite the support, there remains skepticism about the political motivations behind the council's activities. Some former Trump administration officials, like Gunasekara, have labeled the council's existence and its subsequent offices as inefficient endeavors largely utilized to funnel taxpayer dollars.
Within this framework, the absence of comprehensive congressional oversight over the council has raised additional concerns about transparency and accountability.
In May 2021, WHEJAC recommended policies against fossil fuels and highway developments, drawing attention from various stakeholders. These recommendations have highlighted the advisory council's significant influence in shaping the administration's environmental agenda.
Certain council members have expressed support for Vice President Harris's potential presidential run. Beverly Wright, a member of WHEJAC, reportedly shared her confidence in Harris as a leader for the environmental justice cause.
Meanwhile, the prospect of the Trump administration revisiting these decisions if re-elected could lead to significant policy shifts. This includes potential rollbacks of the current administration's environmental initiatives.
Some critics have referred to the council as lacking in promoting economic growth, especially within Black communities. Donna Jackson criticized WHEJAC as "anti-economic growth" for minority areas.
Looking ahead, discussions around the balance between sustainable environmental practices and economic progress persist. Future policy considerations will likely need to address these dual objectives to avoid adverse impacts on economically marginalized groups.
As scrutiny continues, the Biden-Harris administration faces the challenge of maintaining the integrity of its environmental justice initiatives while ensuring effective oversight and equitable distribution of funds.
