1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: What's up. 2 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 2: It's the way up at the Angela Yee. I'm Angela Yee, 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 2: and Jasmine Brand is here with me. Yes, I'm here, 4 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 2: and today we have a big deal. And you know 5 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 2: it's a big deal because they unswept the building. Yes, 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 2: a couple of days in a van period. Michael Sergan, 7 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:20,919 Speaker 2: the EPA Administrator, is here with US Environmental Protection Agency. 8 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 2: So for people who are listening right, what exactly is 9 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 2: your responsibility? 10 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 3: Oh wow, Well, first of all, thank you for having me. 11 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 3: And it's a huge responsibility. President Biden appointed me as 12 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 3: the administrator of the United States Environment Protection Agency. So 13 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 3: what we do is we protect drinking water, air quality, 14 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,599 Speaker 3: and we have to tip of the spear as we 15 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 3: fight this climate crisis. Right, so everything we do is 16 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 3: protecting public health and the environment. 17 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 4: So it's a huge, huge responsibility. 18 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 5: And everything that we need to live. 19 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 2: And to be clear, it is a crisis right now 20 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 2: that we're in. But I want to make sure we 21 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 2: always talk about solutions too, and with the average person 22 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: can do, because sometimes people feel like, well it's not 23 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 2: my fault, you know, there's nothing I could really do 24 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 2: about it. 25 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: As long as I'm gonna be alived. Or whatever. 26 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 2: People have to think about people in other parts of 27 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 2: the world. They have to think about environmental justice. They 28 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 2: have to think about future generations and how this will 29 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 2: affect those times. 30 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: I saw this as like the hottest year on record, and. 31 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 2: They said even June and July and October is on 32 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 2: record to be like the hottest month ever for October. 33 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's very serious, and for those who don't really 34 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 3: want to think about fifty years from now or the science. 35 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 3: When you look outside your window and you see these hurricanes, 36 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 3: these floods, these wildfires, this extreme heat, you know, it's 37 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,839 Speaker 3: terrible in terms of the impact to especially our communities. 38 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 3: But then you think about what it exacerbates when it's 39 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 3: hot outside in these urban areas. Our kids with asthma, 40 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 3: these respiratory illnesses distressed, are elderly. It has a disproportionate 41 00:01:56,600 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 3: impact on our communities, are black and brown and digenous communities. 42 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 3: And so the environmental justice piece is just so critical, 43 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 3: so important, And I'm proud to say that President Biden 44 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 3: is the first president to utter the words environmental justice 45 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 3: during the State of the Union address. That shows you 46 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,639 Speaker 3: how much of a priority it is for this administration. 47 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 2: So how does that feel when people are bashing President 48 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 2: Biden all the time, because I always hear people be like, 49 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:24,959 Speaker 2: he didn't do anything for us, or you know what 50 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 2: has happened for black people since President Biden has been 51 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:32,920 Speaker 2: in office. And we talk about environmental justice, environmental racism. 52 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: You even think about clean drinking water, we think of 53 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,079 Speaker 2: that as something that should be a right what we have, 54 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:40,519 Speaker 2: but that's not necessarily the case. 55 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: In a lot of places, it's not. 56 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 4: And you know, I think that. 57 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 3: Listen, the President has done an enormous amount for this 58 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 3: country in just three years. It's now time for us 59 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:54,160 Speaker 3: to tell that story. Thanks to the President's leadership, my 60 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 3: agency has three billion dollars three billion dollars solely focused 61 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,959 Speaker 3: on environment justice. Just today, we are announcing one hundred 62 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 3: and twenty eight million dollars going to one hundred and 63 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 3: eighty six communities right who are struggling with lack of 64 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:15,640 Speaker 3: access to clean drinking water, pollution in their neighborhoods, even 65 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 3: young organizations that just want to learn more about sustainability. 66 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 3: We're giving grants out to help rebuild our communities. And 67 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 3: so I'm really excited about what the President has done. 68 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 3: Now it's time for us to talk about it, as 69 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,360 Speaker 3: you said, in a way that people in our communities 70 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,119 Speaker 3: understand what it means for them, right. 71 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 2: And I see that you guys have set up seventeen 72 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 2: technical assistance centers to across the nation. 73 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: So how can people. 74 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: Find where these centers are so that they make sure 75 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 2: that their community can also benefit from this program. 76 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 3: Listen, they can go to EPA dot gov. This is 77 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 3: a priority for us, so it's on our website. And 78 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 3: by the way, three billion dollars there's. 79 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 4: A lot of money. 80 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 1: It's a lot of money. 81 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 4: It is, so we took about two hundred million, and. 82 00:03:58,320 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 5: Which is also a lot of money. 83 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: To be clear, it's. 84 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 4: A lot of money. 85 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 3: And instead of us being paternalistic and saying we know 86 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 3: who should get this three billion dollars, we invested in 87 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 3: seventeen centers all across the country made up of communities, 88 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 3: academic institutions. They are going into our neighborhoods, building capacity 89 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 3: so that these local organizations can apply and be competitive 90 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,919 Speaker 3: for this three billion dollars. And I keep saying three 91 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 3: billion would be that's a lot of money. 92 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:29,159 Speaker 2: And I want to ask you personally, what made you 93 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 2: so passionate about this work. 94 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 4: Well, you know. 95 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 3: I mean I grew up in the South, and I 96 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 3: grew up hunting and fishing with my dad and my granddad. 97 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 3: But I also in my younger years had a lot 98 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,799 Speaker 3: of asthmatic symptoms. So on hot days, a lot of pollution, 99 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,560 Speaker 3: I was stuck in the house. They were out doing 100 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,839 Speaker 3: what they did. And so that sort of inability to 101 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:53,919 Speaker 3: join them and engage in culture and learn from my 102 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 3: grandparents and my parents really had me at an early 103 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 3: age focused on understanding that connection between pollution, our environment, 104 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 3: and our health. And so growing up I just was 105 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 3: focused on that. I went to North Carolina Anti State University. 106 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: The largest black university, but you know, our. 107 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 3: HBCUs just prepare us so well, and so that connection 108 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 3: getting an internship at EPA it really set the course 109 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 3: for my career. 110 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: And when people also have to understand, like we were 111 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 2: talking about this the wildfires in Canada, how that affected 112 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: our air here, like that moved over here. 113 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 1: Everybody was outside wearing a mask. I couldn't breathe, right. 114 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 5: Yeah, you know, you don't even have asthma. You couldn't well, yeah, 115 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 5: and you were having issues and we all had to 116 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 5: wear a mask outside. It It was kind of bizarre. 117 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: And if you think about the wildfires in California, you 118 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 2: think about all of those things that can happen. Some 119 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 2: people will tell you that climate change doesn't exist and 120 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 2: there's no issues, and that we don't need to be 121 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 2: concerned about it. You know, what do you say to 122 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 2: people like that who are like, no, you know, there's 123 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 2: nothing going on here, we don't have any issues in. 124 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 3: Listen, I say, it's abnormal in New York to experience 125 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 3: the level of smoke you all experience from wild fires. 126 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 1: In Canada never happened in my life. 127 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 3: The flooding in the metro system, the people that died 128 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 3: from flooding. These are times of climate crisis. 129 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 4: Now. 130 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 3: When I talk to our young people and we talk 131 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 3: about it as climate anxiety, to the point you all 132 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 3: were making earlier, we talk about it from a solutions 133 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 3: orientation less. So this crisis hasn't gone too far. And 134 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 3: I think as the government invests in these solutions, part 135 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 3: of this three billion dollars is making sure that our 136 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 3: communities who are on the front lines are prepared for 137 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:45,359 Speaker 3: this transition. 138 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:48,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, even if you think about it, even like insurance 139 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,159 Speaker 2: for your home, A lot of times insurance can be 140 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 2: extremely high depending on where you live, and there's you know, 141 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,840 Speaker 2: no protections against the flooding, and you have to get 142 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,120 Speaker 2: flood insurance separately, and that can be extremely expensive. So 143 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 2: if you want to live in a coastal area, that's 144 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 2: not possible for certain people because they can't afford it, yeah, 145 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 2: to get the insurance. And so we don't even think 146 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 2: about these little small things that is affected by the 147 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 2: environment and why that can be really racist. 148 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: You know, here in the United States. 149 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 5: I ambo'll say if I'm a black or brown person, 150 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 5: I am a black person, but if you know I'm 151 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 5: a black woman, to say, if I was in an 152 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 5: area impoverished area, I didn't have that much money, what 153 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 5: can I do to protect myself and my family from 154 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 5: things like this? 155 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 3: I think the first thing is understanding that there is 156 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 3: a transition happening and that our communities are experiencing it, 157 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:43,080 Speaker 3: and so we are trying to empower local organizations, local 158 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 3: leaders with the type of information to help protect our families. 159 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 3: Whether it's making sure that our homes have appropriate air 160 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 3: conditioning for these heat waves we're seeing, you know, whether 161 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 3: we're looking at as the country starts to think about 162 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 3: electric vehicles. Do we have charging stations in our communities. 163 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 3: I think if you are in our communities, you're thinking 164 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 3: about these environmental impacts, but you're also thinking about, well, 165 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 3: what about the jobs, what about the economy, what about 166 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 3: our infrastructure. 167 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 4: We're trying to. 168 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 3: Invest in all of those three things simultaneously because we 169 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 3: have to address the environmental racism, we have to address 170 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 3: the economic disadvantages, and we have to address that our 171 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 3: communities on the front lines are they are receiving the 172 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 3: brunt of this pollution. And so you can't really solve 173 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 3: one of these problems without solving all of these problems. 174 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,680 Speaker 3: And so I would encourage everybody to reach out to 175 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 3: your local We're partner with the NAACP, the Urban League, 176 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:42,199 Speaker 3: our churches. These are the organizations we want to get 177 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,960 Speaker 3: the resources, not just the government, but our local community leaders. 178 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 2: And I mean I also think about times when it's 179 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 2: cold in the house and you have to turn the 180 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 2: oven on. 181 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 1: I definitely did that. You know how dangerous that? 182 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 4: Yes? 183 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 2: And I was reading that at some point we might 184 00:08:56,280 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 2: not have gas stoves and ovens anymore, and that we 185 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 2: should be getting electric because I'm working on my house 186 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 2: and I'm doing the kitchen, and so I was doing 187 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 2: my research, and it was like, get an electric stove, 188 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:09,840 Speaker 2: get an electric oven, because if you don't have the 189 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 2: right amount of circulation in the house too, it can 190 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 2: be dangerous, you know, to even breathe that air inside 191 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 2: the house. But there's a lot of things that you 192 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: end up doing just because you're trying to stay warm 193 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 2: or survive. 194 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 3: That's right, and I think we have to have solutions 195 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,599 Speaker 3: for everyday Americans. And I believe that there should be 196 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 3: a balance in what we can do as government and 197 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 3: what we all can do in terms of personal choice. 198 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 3: And so we're trying to balance those things. And so 199 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,959 Speaker 3: you know, when you think about gas stoves, you know, 200 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 3: some people automatically go to, oh, this is trying to 201 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 3: solve the climate crisis, but it's actually doing what you 202 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 3: just said, which is reducing those emissions that might be 203 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 3: occurring in some of our homes that aren't well vented, 204 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:51,960 Speaker 3: or if you're building a home, taking that into consideration 205 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 3: so that you're not overly exposed to some of these 206 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 3: toxic fumes that come from fossil fuels. I think we 207 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 3: have to really try to bring this down to the 208 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 3: basic human level. That while this is about the environment, 209 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 3: this is about humanity, this is about public health, but 210 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 3: it's also about a trillion dollar transition. You know, this 211 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 3: is a trillion dollar economy when you think about energy 212 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 3: and you think about new technologies, and so as we 213 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 3: make this trillion dollar transition, our communities need to be 214 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:26,959 Speaker 3: competitive from an educational standpoint, infrastructure standpoint. 215 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 4: The future for our children. They should have a part 216 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 4: in seeing this through, right. 217 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:34,720 Speaker 2: And then even I was going to say, just thinking 218 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 2: about also the drinking water issues that we've been having, 219 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 2: Like we see Flint, Michigan, the fact that they for 220 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 2: so long have had to deal with contaminated water, and 221 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 2: that I mean, it is a process though, right, but 222 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:50,199 Speaker 2: certain things are like an emergency, and I feel like 223 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 2: if that was another area, it wouldn't have taken that 224 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 2: long for that problem to get fixed. 225 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 3: We know the data is there because of institutional racism, 226 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 3: because of redlining, because of all these things that we 227 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:06,439 Speaker 3: know that exists in history, we're seeing communities disproportionate impacted. 228 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 3: There should never be a Flint Michigan. In twenty twenty one, 229 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 3: I started this Journey to Justice tour because people actually 230 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 3: thought Flint was a one off or don't believe lots 231 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 3: of communities are on the customers that issue lots of communities. 232 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 3: I actually visited an elementary school in Jackson, Mississippi. My 233 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 3: son's nine, So I want to talk to some of 234 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 3: his colleagues about climate change. 235 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 5: In violence year old colleagues, colleagues, I love it and shut. 236 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 4: Up to the school. 237 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 3: School is shut down, but there are porter potties lined 238 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 3: up all along the school. I thought that was for construction, 239 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 3: but that's those were for the children because the water 240 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 3: pressure in that school was so low. Now this is 241 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 3: during COVID crazy, So can you imagine sending your children 242 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 3: to school. They can't wash their hands, they can't. 243 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 1: Often toilet inside dangerous. 244 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 4: This is twenty twenty one in Mississippi. This is kids. 245 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 3: So this is happening all across the country. I've spent 246 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 3: time in Louisiana, Cancer Alley, Texas. I was just in 247 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 3: Alaska and visiting with our indigenous brothers and sisters Puerto Rico. 248 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 3: This is happening in twenty twenty three. So yeah, I'm 249 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 3: passionate about making sure that people understand. President Biden has created, 250 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 3: along with Congress, billions of dollars to begin solving some 251 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,199 Speaker 3: of these solutions. We can't wait for states and local 252 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:30,840 Speaker 3: governments to do it. We have to arm our local 253 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 3: community leaders with some resources. 254 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,040 Speaker 2: All right, So for everybody who's listening and they're like, Okay, 255 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 2: I need to make sure that I take care of 256 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,719 Speaker 2: myself and my family. I'm thinking about my future generations, 257 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 2: my grandchildren, who's going to come after, you know, my 258 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 2: great great grandchildren. We want to make sure that they 259 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 2: actually are able to survive and thrive aside from when 260 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 2: we're not here anymore. So what are some steps that 261 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 2: people can take that are tangible things that are actually 262 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:58,439 Speaker 2: going to improve their neighborhoods. 263 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 3: You know, the first thing we all should do is 264 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 3: just make sure that we're arming ourselves with information. You know, 265 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 3: when we think about solutions, there is not a one 266 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 3: size fit all, you know. I think communities in the 267 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: Bronx are dealing with something completely different than communities in Houston, 268 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 3: and so I think we need to educate ourselves on 269 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 3: how access to cleaner and clean water actually benefits our 270 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 3: communities and benefits those future generations. 271 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 4: So just stay involved. Who our leaders are really matters. 272 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 3: I think just exercising that voice and putting your voice 273 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 3: and your actions towards people who are actually delivering for 274 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 3: your communities. We can't fall for the okie doc on 275 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 3: the rhetoric. We really have to look at where the 276 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 3: results are. And as the first black man to run 277 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 3: EPA and to be armed with billions of dollars, I 278 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 3: can say we would not be here. I would not 279 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 3: have this job if we didn't have this current Biden 280 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 3: Harris administration. 281 00:13:57,360 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 5: Can I talk? Can you just talk about really quick 282 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 5: and then you can continue with you know how big 283 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 5: of a deal that is? 284 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:04,560 Speaker 4: You know, Number one, it's a blessing, right. 285 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 3: I think God has really blessed me to be on 286 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 3: a path to serve and that's what I really enjoy, 287 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 3: is the public service aspect. But you know, every morning 288 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 3: I wake up, I'm kissing a little black boy on 289 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 3: the forehead I'm leaving. I understand I'm a black man 290 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 3: leading this agency and so it's an enormous amount of 291 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 3: pressure because I want to get it right and I 292 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 3: want to be sure that we are represented in all 293 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 3: of these discussions. And so while it's an honor, you know, 294 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 3: I'm not resting on my laurels. 295 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 4: I'm moving forward every. 296 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 5: Day you say you started as an intern at EPA. 297 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 4: I did. 298 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 3: I interned at EPA and worked there for about six years, 299 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 3: and then I left and came back under the Biden administration. 300 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 2: The power of internship, I wanted to bring that out, 301 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 2: bring that up. Yeah, just being able to be in 302 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 2: a space that you're in and how much that can 303 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 2: affect you. Now, let's talk about electric cars, you know, 304 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 2: because I feel like that is I want to get 305 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 2: an electric car, but like you said, to have the 306 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 2: charging stations and access to that. 307 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 5: And you're in New York too, So what does that 308 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 5: look like for people that are in bigger cities, you know, 309 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 5: to have access to be able to charge the car. 310 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 2: Is this all part of the funding too, or like 311 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 2: tell us, with this three billion dollars, what is some 312 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 2: of this money going towards? 313 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 3: Well, So let me start by saying, I think the 314 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 3: last Super Bowl we all watched, you saw GM Chrysler 315 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 3: still and you still all these people running these million 316 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 3: dollar ads talking about electric vehicles. So there are some 317 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 3: that are trying to say the government is forcing this, 318 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 3: this is where the market is going. So what the 319 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 3: President has really focused on is making sure that we 320 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 3: have the infrastructure and the places to support where the 321 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 3: market is going. DT and DOE are working on a program, 322 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 3: I think, to try to put something like five hundred 323 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 3: thousand charging stations all across the country to reduce that 324 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 3: range anxiety that you're talking about. I think Elon, Musk 325 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 3: and Tesla are opening up their charging stations. So the 326 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 3: government and the private sector are investing in the infrastructure 327 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 3: so that we can see these cars. 328 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 2: It sounds like some jobs available for people too, if 329 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 2: you want to know how to build charging stations and 330 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 2: the equipment that's needed for. 331 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 4: That, tons tons of jobs. 332 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 3: And if those investments don't put the charging stations in 333 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:19,600 Speaker 3: our respective neighborhoods. 334 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 4: Part of this three billion dollars. 335 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 3: Looks at projects to do just that, by the way, 336 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 3: projects that would put the charging stations in our neighborhoods, 337 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 3: but also trainings, education. Whether it's a charging station or 338 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 3: a solar panel that you want in your church, right, 339 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 3: these environmental justice grant dollars can infuse into those ideas 340 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,119 Speaker 3: and those people in those communities. 341 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 2: I definitely have solar panels on my house that I'm installing, yeah, 342 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 2: when everything is done, so I have those already, but 343 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 2: there's a lot of tax breaks also in order to 344 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 2: be able to have that, So you know that's a 345 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 2: positive thing as well. 346 00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: It is now Administratave Reagan. 347 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 2: What do you say when people are like, well, this 348 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 2: is taking jobs away from blue collar workers and people 349 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 2: who say work in the coal mines. We always hear 350 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,120 Speaker 2: these stories about that, even though that's a very dangerous 351 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 2: occupation to have. But I've seen that narrative also, how 352 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 2: do you respond to that. 353 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 3: I think part of it is, you know, this administration 354 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 3: is focused on bringing manufacturing back to the United States, 355 00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:27,280 Speaker 3: and so what you're looking at is an opportunity for 356 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 3: a skills transfer from one kind of employment during a 357 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 3: certain time in history to the future that doesn't leave 358 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 3: anyone behind. 359 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 4: So whether you're a. 360 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 3: Blue collar worker, white collar worker, I think that there 361 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 3: are opportunities. Listen what I tell what I tell young people, 362 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 3: and I spent a lot of time talking to young 363 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 3: people because it is about the future, and every major 364 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 3: social movement we've seen in this country has been led 365 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 3: by young people. So when you go to college, whether 366 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:58,440 Speaker 3: you're an accountant, engineer, or you know, whether you're going 367 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 3: into a trade, this future is inclusive of everyone. There's 368 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 3: a transition actually occurring, and we put resources, programs, educational 369 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 3: features in place to be sure that not only do 370 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 3: folks understand what this transition looks like, but how to 371 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 3: be a part of it. And so I think whether 372 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 3: you know again, whether you want to go to college 373 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 3: or not. Right, A lot of these jobs that are 374 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 3: what people used to like call green jobs, I don't 375 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 3: call them green jobs because I think a job is 376 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:31,520 Speaker 3: a job. So these jobs are just jobs, and they. 377 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 4: Will be available to folks in this country. 378 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,159 Speaker 3: And the last thing I'll say on that is this 379 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 3: administration and the government wants this country to be globally competitive. 380 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:46,639 Speaker 3: So a lot of what's happening cannot happen unless you 381 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 3: bring every community along. I think doctor King said that 382 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 3: this country cannot be as great as it can be 383 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 3: unless the leaks amongst us are part of the solution. 384 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 4: And so that's what we're really focused on. 385 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 2: And this is an international of focus too, because what 386 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 2: happens in other countries also affects what happens here when 387 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 2: it comes to the environment. So I know that's important too. 388 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,479 Speaker 3: It is, and I've spent a lot of time over 389 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:14,639 Speaker 3: the past three years with my international counterparts, other ministers 390 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:18,919 Speaker 3: of the environment, and you know what you see all 391 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 3: across the world is the same folks being impacted. 392 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, poor people, black and brown people. 393 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 2: It's either gious people or it's a racial Yes, yeah. 394 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 4: That's right. 395 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:31,679 Speaker 3: And it's a global problem. This climate issue is a 396 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 3: global problem. So we're out holding all these countries hands 397 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 3: arm and arm thinking about what we all do together, 398 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 3: trying to create that rising tide that lifts all boats. 399 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:44,479 Speaker 1: All right, well, let's talk about it. 400 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 2: That three billion dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act, and 401 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:50,280 Speaker 2: that is going to be advancing environmental justice one more time. 402 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:51,640 Speaker 1: Where can people go to get. 403 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,640 Speaker 2: More information so they can also join in this fight 404 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:55,680 Speaker 2: against climate change? 405 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 3: People should go to EPA dot gov. This is a 406 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 3: priority so you can access it very quickly from our homepage, 407 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 3: and there is there's tons of information about this three 408 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 3: billion dollars. I will say this, My agency typically is 409 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 3: a thirteen billion dollar agency per year. Under the Biden 410 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 3: Harris administration, we've got one hundred billion dollars solely focused 411 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 3: on this transition, and by law, forty percent of that 412 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 3: hundred must go to disadvantaged communities. 413 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: So that's amazing. 414 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, So we're really rolling out the resources and putting 415 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 3: our money where our mouth is. 416 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 2: Because when we think about the hottest months on record 417 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,480 Speaker 2: in June and July, again, who are the people affected? 418 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 2: You know, we tell people don't go outside if you 419 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:38,919 Speaker 2: can get air conditioning, stay inside. 420 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:39,160 Speaker 3: Yep. 421 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,879 Speaker 2: Some people don't have air conditioning, and it's also expensive. 422 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 2: Now your air conditioner on all day. 423 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 5: And we take it for granted, but now it's very real. 424 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:47,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a real thing. 425 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:48,679 Speaker 3: All right. 426 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 2: Well, we appreciate you so much for taking time to 427 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:51,920 Speaker 2: come through. I know you said you were going to 428 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 2: do it. You are a man of your words, right. 429 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 2: I saw you at essence Best and we discussed this 430 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,440 Speaker 2: and then your team definitely reached out. So I appreciate 431 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 2: you because this is very important and we want to 432 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 2: make sure that people know exactly what's going on. Again, 433 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 2: you're prioritizing youth engagement. That is part of the plan, yes, 434 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 2: because like you said, the youth is there are always 435 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:10,239 Speaker 2: the ones that lead us. 436 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: YEP, in times like this, they do. 437 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:14,640 Speaker 3: I'm excited to say in about a month or so, 438 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 3: we're going to launch the first ever Federal Advisory Council 439 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 3: that is occupied solely by youth sixteen to twenty nine. 440 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 1: Oh nice, that's amazing. 441 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:27,360 Speaker 4: Yep. 442 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:29,359 Speaker 3: And so we're treating them just like we treat all 443 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:33,199 Speaker 3: the experts. We've got experts on children's health, we have 444 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 3: experts on environmental finance. Now we're going to have an 445 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 3: advisory board solely focused and unoccupied by youth. 446 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:41,320 Speaker 1: I love that. 447 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 3: Who will sit with me in public meetings? They will 448 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 3: offer me advice. I don't have to take that to 449 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 3: they're going to be. 450 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: Out of touch. 451 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 5: Explain it, what's going on. You'll have a viral dance. 452 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 2: So that's that's that's coming soon, all right, but please 453 00:21:57,320 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 2: don't step down anytime soon. 454 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 4: Okay, listen, this is. 455 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 3: Like, wait a minute, this is a battle here we're 456 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 3: engaging in and I'm committed to the work. 457 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 2: All right, Well, thank you so much. We appreciate you 458 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:11,359 Speaker 2: for coming through e p A dot gov. Yes, okay, 459 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:12,120 Speaker 2: e p A dot gov. 460 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:12,719 Speaker 1: Check that out. 461 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 2: It's way up with angela yee. E PA Administrator Michael S. 462 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 2: Reagan Way