The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to terminate 781 environmental justice grants aimed at protecting vulnerable communities, nearly doubling previous estimates and triggering legal battles over the move’s legality.

Maxine Joselow and Amudalat Ajasa report for The Washington Post.

In short:

• The EPA disclosed in a recent court filing that it is canceling 781 environmental justice grants, all issued during the Biden administration, and has already notified about half of the recipients.
• The decision affects projects meant to shield communities from wildfire smoke, coastal flooding, and indoor air pollution; critics argue the agency has not provided evidence of the legally required individualized grant reviews.
• The Trump administration is also moving to dismantle the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and reassign more than 450 staff, deepening concerns among local officials and environmental groups.