Environmental Justice Push Needs Local Focus, Faith Leaders Say

Reverends and other leaders of faith say it’s time for the federal government to place funding for environmental justice solutions in the hands of local, community-led groups already doing the work.

Those leading congregations, particularly in communities of color, applaud President Joe Biden’s promise to steer 40% of clean energy and other federal funds toward efforts that will help vulnerable communities. But many of those communities and congregations—which worked hard to get Biden elected—worry their calls for local and neighborhood-based efforts to build renewable energy projects, improve drinking water, and weatherize homes will amount to little.

Local governments and state ...