>>> TONIGHT, THE NEW SCHOOL LABOR MOVEMENT THAT TOOK ON AMAZON IN NEW YORK AND WON.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE AMAZON LABOR UNION AND THE BOOMING UNION MOVEMENT IN AMERICA?

SUPREME IMPACT.

HOW THE CLIMATE BILL COULD BRING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF CLEAN INVESTMENT TO NEW YORK.

"METROFOCUS" STARTS RIGHT NOW.

♪♪ >> THIS IS "METROFOCUS" WITH RAFAEL PI ROMAN, JACK FORD AND JENNA FLANAGAN.

"METROFOCUS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- >>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "METROFOCUS."

I'M RAFAEL PI ROROMAN.

THE UNION MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM.

THEY FIGHT FOR BETTER WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE MOVEMENT RECEIVED A BOOST WHEN AMAZON EMPLOYEES AT A STATEN ISLAND WAREHOUSE FORMED THE COMPANY'S FIRST LABOR UNION IN THE U.S. A MOVE THE RETAIL GIANT IS NOW FIGHTING AT THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE AMAZON LABOR UNION AND THE LARGER AMERICAN UNION MOVEMENT AFTER THE WIN?

WILL THE MOMENTUM CONTINUE AS WE FACE A POSSIBLE RECESSION?

FOR ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS, WE ARE JOINED BY CHRIS SMALLS, THE LEADER OF THE AMAZON UNION, WHO SOME ARE CALLING THE NEW FACE OF LABOR.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> CHRIS, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WAS NOT EXAGGERATING WHEN IT WROTE THAT WHAT YOU AND YOUR FELLOW ORGANIZERS HAD ACCOMPLISHED AT YOUR WAREHOUSE WAS, QUOTE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST VICTORIES FOR ORGANIZED LABOR IN A GENERATION.

IN ESSENCE AND IN SUMMARY, WHAT WAS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, WITH OUR CAMPAIGN WITH THE AMAZON LABOR UNION, I THINK WE PROVE THAT NO AMOUNT OF MONEY -- IT DOESN'T HOW MUCH RESOURCES THE COMPANY MAY HAVE, HOW MUCH UNION BUSTING PROPAGANDA THEY MAY SPREAD, WHEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ALL BACKGROUNDS, WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, WE CAN DEFEAT ANY POWER.

WE HAVE THE POWER BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES WHO OPERATE THESE FACILITIES.

WITH OUR CAMPAIGN, WE SHOWED OUR CO-WORKERS, BECAUSE IT'S A WORKER-LED MOVEMENT, THAT WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

WE'RE THE ONES OUT THERE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

WE'RE THE ONES THAT COME FROM A COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE REPRESENTING.

WE ARE THE ONES THAT LIVE THESE GRIEVANCES AND REALITIES OF OF THE WORKING CONDITIONS.

FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND VOTE ON COMMONALITY, PROTECTING THEMSELVES, THAT'S EXACTLY THE EXAMPLE OF UNIONIZING.

>> LISTEN, THIS IS IN PART WHAT AMAZON SAID.

A QUOTE YOU HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES.

OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE THE CHOICE ON WHETHER OR NOT TO JOIN A UNION.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE.

AS A COMPANY, WE DON'T THINK UNIONS ARE THE BEST ANSWER FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S A VERY CIVIL STATEMENT.

AFTER YOUR VICTORY, THEY DIDN'T CALL YOU UP TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR WIN OR TO SET UP NEGOTIATIONS.

INSTEAD, THEY FILED OVER 22 COMPLAINTS AT THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD ASKING FOR A RE-DO OF THE ELECTION CLAIMING AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT YOU HAD BRIBED THE EMPLOYEES WITH FREE FOOD AND FREE WEED AND HAD INTIMIDATED THE PEOPLE WHO WERE GOING TO VOTE NO.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE CHARGES?

HAVE THEY MADE A DECISION ON THESE COMPLAINTS YET?

>> YEAH.

THEY DISMISSED THEM TWO WEEKS AGO.

NONE OF THE CHARGES WERE FOUND WITH MY MERIT.

WE DID NOT BRIBE THE EMPLOYEES.

WE BEAT AMAZON FAIR AND SQUARE.

ONCE AGAIN, WE PROVE WITH OUR CAMPAIGN THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BRIBE WORKERS.

WORKERS ARE VERY SMART.

VERY INTELLIGENT.

NEW YORK CITY IS A UN YOON DIDN'T UNION TOWN.

IT WAS EASY TO EDUCATE THE WORKERS.

AMAZON CAN CLAIM WHATEVER THEY WANT TO CLAIM.

THE NLRB RULED THEIR OBJECTIONS ARE PRETTY MUCH DISMISSED.

WE ARE TO BE CERTIFIED.

WE ARE WAITING ON OUR CERTIFICATION TO FORCE THE COMPANY TO COME TO THE TABLE AND BARGAIN.

>> WHAT'S BEEN THE AGAIN ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND WORKERS OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS SINCE YOU FIRST WON THE ELECTION?

FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE TAPING THIS IN EARLY OCTOBER.

RECENTLY, THERE WAS A FIRE AT YOUR WAREHOUSE.

A NUMBER OF THE WORKERS AT THE WAREHOUSE, AT THE NIGHT SHIFT, REFUSED TO WORK SAYING IT WAS UNSAFE.

THE COMPANY SUSPENDED THEM WITH PAY, AT LEAST TWO DOZEN OF THEM, AS MANY AS 50.

MAYBE YOU CAN CLARIFY THE NUMBERS.

WOULD THE COMPANY HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT THE UNION BEING INVOLVED?

WOULD THE WORKERS HAVE HAD THE BOLDNESS TO REFUSE TO WORK IF NOT FOR THE UNION?

>> NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THE COMPANY ONCE AGAIN WITH THEIR LACK OF SAFETY DRILLS AND LACK OF ORGANIZATION WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, WORKERS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THAT SITUATION.

THANKFULLY, THE UNION WAS THERE TO DIRECT THEM AND EDUCATE THE WORKERS IN THE BREAK AREA THAT REFUSED TO GO BACK TO WORK ON THEIR RIGHTS.

THEY SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO WORK IN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENTS.

WITHOUT THE UNION LEADING THE CHARGE, WORKERS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED TO THAT.

WORKING IN A SMOKE-FILLED WAREHOUSE FOR HOURS, EVEN THOUGH THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT HOURS BEFORE THE SHIFT STARTED.

THE SMOKE LINGERS.

THAT AFFECTS DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

FOR AMAZON TO MAKE A DECISION TO SAY, YOU ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO GO BACK TO WORK BECAUSE WE KNOW, THAT'S INSANE.

WE HAVE TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

THAT'S WHY HAVEN'T THE UNION AT YOUR FACILITY IS IMPORTANT, SO WE CAN SPEAK UP ON THESE THINGS.

>> LISTEN, IN MAY YOU HAD ANOTHER UNION ELECTION.

THIS TIME AT THE SMALLER AMAZON WAREHOUSE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ONE YOU ORGANIZED.

YOU LOST THAT ELECTION BY A SIZABLE MARGIN.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE TOOK A SHOT BECAUSE WE HAD GOOD MOMENTUM.

THE ORGANIZERS THERE, THEY FELT LIKE THE TIME WAS NOW FOR THEM.

ONCE AGAIN, BEING A WORKER-LED MOVEMENT, THAT'S THE BEAUTY.

THEY DECIDE HOW AND WHEN THEY WANT TO ORGANIZE.

THEY WANTED TO TAKE A SHOT BACK THEN.

THEY WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL.

THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRY AGAIN.

THAT'S THE THING ABOUT THE ELECTION RESULTS IS WE LEARNED THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY UNIONIZE.

THERE'S STILL ALMOST 500 PEOPLE THAT ARE PRO UNION IN THAT BUILDING.

THEY HAVE A BIG UNION, ACTUALLY.

THEY ARE GOING TO TRY AGAIN.

>> YEAH, BUT RIGHT AFTER YOUR VICTORY, IT WAS A LOSS.

I'M WONDERING HOW IT AFFECTED THE MORALE OF THE PEOPLE AT YOUR WAREHOUSE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN -- I ASK BECAUSE I READ AN ARTICLE IN "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE THAT SAID THERE WAS SOME UNSATISFACTORY SENSES AMONG SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAD ORGANIZED WITH YOU.

I WONDER IF THAT'S STILL THE CASE OR HAVE YOU RESOLVED THAT PROBLEMS?

>> NO.

I MEAN, THE THINGS IN THE MEDIA THAT'S BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT US IS JUST NOT TRUE.

YOU KNOW?

PEOPLE THAT SAY THEY ORGANIZE WITH US, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT.

THE PEOPLE THAT ORGANIZED WITH ME ARE STILL HERE.

THIS IS A LONG HAUL.

THIS IS NOT A FIGHT THAT YOU CAN BE ENDING OUT.

WE HAVE TO BE ALL THE WAY IN.

THERE'S NO IN BETWEEN.

FOR THOSE WHO SAY THEY ORGANIZED WITH ME AND THEY'RE NOT HERE WITH US TODAY, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE LOSS, IT DIDN'T AFFECT US.

WE HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING FOR OVER A YEAR.

A LOT OF ORGANIZERS WERE BURNT OUT, INCLUDING MYSELF.

I SPENT OVER 300 DAYS AT A BUS STOP.

FOR US, IT WASN'T A LOSS.

FOR US, WE TAKE THAT AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, SOMETHING TO GROW FROM.

WE ABSOLUTELY DID.

WE'RE FINE.

WE'RE GROWING NATIONWIDE.

WE HAVE BUILDINGS IN CALIFORNIA, IN ALBANY AND TENNESSEE AND INQUIRIES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

PEOPLE WANT THE ALU AND IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

>> YOU HAVE ANOTHER UNION ELECTION COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH IN A WAREHOUSE NEAR ALBANY.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

WHAT ARE THE STAKES IN THAT ELECTION?

DO YOU THINK IT'S A MUST WIN IN ORDER TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING, OR NOT?

>> I DON'T -- ONCE AGAIN, I DON'T PUT OURSELVES IN THAT BOX.

EVERY BUILDING IS DIFFERENT.

WIN OR LOSE, I THINK THAT WORKERS STANDING UP IS A VICTORY.

THE ORGANIZERS ARE EMPLOYEES.

IT'S NOT JUST MYSELF AT A BUS STOP ANYMORE.

THESE ARE WORKERS THAT ARE LEADING THESE MOVEMENTS.

THEY ARE TAKING ON A TRILLION DOLLAR COMPANY.

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO REMIND THEMSELVES THAT WE'RE GOING UP AGAINST AMAZON, ONE OF THE RICHEST RETAILERS IN MODERN DAY HISTORY.

WE MAKE LESS THAN $35,000 A YEAR.

I DON'T CARE WHAT THE RESULTS ARE OF THE ELECTION.

I THINK THAT THESE WORKERS STANDING UP IS ALREADY A VICTORY BY ITSELF.

WE ARE MAKING HISTORY.

I'M HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> AS I SAID IN THE INTRODUCTION, THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN GOOD FOR LABOR, NOT JUST FOR YOU AND YOUR FELLOW WORKERS AT THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE, BUT FOR COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, COMPANIES THAT UP UNTIL RECENTLY HAD -- WERE IMMUNE, IT SEEMED TO UNION ORGANIZING.

SOME OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE FALLOUT OF THE PANDEMIC ON ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

MOST OF IT HAD TO DO WITH THE OVERHEATED ECONOMY OR THE SUPER HEATED ECONOMY THAT HAS CAUSED A LABOR SHORTAGE WHICH HAS GIVEN WORKERS LEVERAGE THEY HAVEN'T HAD FOR A WHILE.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOOMING RECESSION AND SOME EXPERTS ARE SAYING THAT EVENTUALLY THOSE LABOR SHORTAGES ARE GOING TO TURN INTO LABOR SURPLUSES.

WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR YOUR UNION AND THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN AMERICA IN GENERAL, DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THAT WHERE WE AT RIGHT NOW, LABOR IS DEFINITELY THE CATALYST FOR OUR DEMOCRACY RIGHT NOW.

I JUST THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING AS FAR AS AMAZON AND OTHER INDUSTRIES, STARBUCKS, TRADER JOE'S, APPLE, IT'S AMAZING TO SEE THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS TAKING CHARGE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO PROTECT OURSELVES AS THE WORKING CLASS.

WE CAN'T ALLOW CORPORATIONS TO CONTINUE THEIR PRACTICES ANYMORE THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION TO BEGIN WITH.

IF EMPLOYEES -- EMPLOYERS WERE TAKING CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, YOU KNOW, UNIONS WOULDN'T HAVE TO EXIST.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

WE HAVE TO REALIZE BEING DEEMED AS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER DURING THE PANDEMIC, THAT COMES WITH REAL VALUE.

WE'RE AN ESSENTIAL WORKER, THEY NEED US.

WE ARE A NECESSITY.

THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR PROTECTION AND THE BENEFITS WE WANT IS BY FORMING OUR UNIONS.

I HOPE THAT ONCE AGAIN LABOR TAKES A REALLY GOOD STANCE WHEN IT COMES TO CERTAIN ISSUES IN THIS COUNTRY, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REALLY BE THE BASIS OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS MONUMENTAL FOR A BUNCH OF MOVEMENTS, NOT JUST LABOR.

I'M HOPING THAT MORE PEOPLE GET INVOLVED AND JUST CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU THIS, IN MAY YOU WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND MET WITH THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.

WHAT KIND OF CONCRETE HELP ARE THEY GIVING YOU?

ARE THEY TALKING TO AMAZON, WHICH ACCORDING TO SOME REPORTS IS CLOSE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

ARE THEY HELPING YOU IN THE LABOR LEGISLATION THAT YOU ARE PUSHING THAT WILL MAKE LABOR LAWS MUCH STRONGER?

OR WAS THAT JUST A PHOTO OP?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M STILL -- TO BE DETERMINED.

I WILL HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IF THINGS DON'T GET DONE IN THE WAY THAT WE NEED TO BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO LABOR LAWS.

THEY PROMISED TO MAKE SOME THINGS HAPPEN.

WE'RE WAITING FOR IT.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED HELP GOING UP AGAINST AMAZON.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE GOT WORKERS GETTING SUSPENDED FOR SPEAKING UP.

THE GENERAL COUNSEL NEEDS TO BE FUNDED MORE.

I'M HOPING THEY AREING CLASS.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE.

>> I THINK THEY HAVE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, CHRIS.

WE WILL HAVE TO END IT WITH THAT.

I APPRECIATE -- I KNOW YOU ARE A BUSY MAN, ESPECIALLY TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

HOPEFULLY, WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK IN THE FUTURE AS THIS HEROIC >> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "METROFOCUS."

I'M JENNA FLANAGAN.

A SUPREME COURT RULING LIMITED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE EMISSIONS FROM POWER PLANTS.

AT THE TIME, IT WAS SEEN AS A MAJOR BLOW TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLANS TO CUT U.S.

EMISSIONS IN HALF BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

IT WAS ALSO CRITICIZED BY NEW YORK GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL, WHO HAD PROMISED NEW YORK STATE WOULD BE A LEADER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT WHAT WILL BE THE ACTUAL IMPACT ON NEW YORK AND THE METROPOLITAN REGION, ESPECIALLY NOW IN LIGHT OF THE LANDMARK CLIMATE BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS AND SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN?

HOW WILL NEW YORK BENEFIT FROM THE $370 BILLION THAT THE BILL SETS ASIDE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE SPENDING?

JOINING ME NOW TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS IS LISA GARCIA, THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE EPA REGION 2, NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AS WELL AS PUERTO RICO, THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND EIGHT INDIAN NATIONS.

LISA, WELCOME TO "METROFOCUS."

>> HELLO.

GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALSO JOINING US IS EDDIE BOTISTA, THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE.

WELCOME.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THEY ARE BOTH WITH US AS PART OF A SPECIAL SERIES, SUPREME IMPACT.

WE EXAMINE THE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULINGS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE TRI-STATE REGION.

LET'S GET RIGHT INTO IT.

FIRST GET BOTH OF YOU AND YOUR REACTIONS TO THE LANDMARK LEGISLATION, WHICH, OF COURSE, WE KNOW IS PHRASED AS THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

I WILL START WITH YOU.

>> SO, THE BILL IS ONE OF THE MORE KIND OF CONFOUNDING PIECES OF LEGISLATION WE HAVE SEEN IN A WHILE IN THAT IT IS BOTH VISIONARY IN THAT IT COMMITS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT OF CLIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY, ET CETERA.

IT'S THE LARGEST COMMITMENT OF FEDERAL INVESTMENT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN U.S. HISTORY.

BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, IT'S ALSO DANGEROUSLY STATUS QUO IN THAT IT CONTINUES TO INVITE OIL AND GAS AND FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION AND OFFSHORE DRILLING.

SO IT IS BOTH ON THE ONE HAND AN INVESTMENT THAT'S BEEN LONG OVERDUE, IN CLEAN ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT.

BUT THE CONTINUED FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION IS DANGEROUSLY STATUS QUO AND SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF US WILL BE MONITORING AS THE LAW GETS IMPLEMENTED.

>> DO YOU FEEL THE SAME?

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HERALDING THIS AS LANDMARK -- THIS IS REVOLUTIONARY.

YET, THERE'S THE CRITICISM IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> YES.

WE, OF COURSE, ARE CELEBRATING THIS LANDMARK LEGISLATION.

IT'S THE FIRST LEGISLATION REALLY FOCUSING ON CLIMATE.

THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY OTHER BENEFITS FOR THE UNITED STATES.

BUT WE REALLY SEE IT AS DELIVERING ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S COMMITMENTS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE, TO REALLY ADDRESS AND ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

YOU SEE IN THE BILL COMMITMENTS TO REALLY -- I THINK IT'S BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM THE POWER SECTOR AND, OF COURSE, INVESTING IN MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH BRINGS ABOUT JOBS, REALLY FOCUSING ON MANUFACTURING WIND POWER, SOLAR PANELS AND BATTERIES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACROSS OUR BUSINESSES AND HOMES AND OBVIOUSLY REALLY INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND, OF COURSE, IT'S COUPLED WITH THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WHICH WAS PASSED LAST YEAR INVESTING IN THINGS LIKE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO TACKLE OUR CLIMATE CRISIS.

WE ARE REALLY SEEING THIS AS A SUCCESS STORY.

OF COURSE, EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATION -- I AGREE ON THIS, THAT EVERY LEGISLATION IS REALLY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION.

EPA HOLDS ITS COMMITMENT, HIGH VALUE, OUR CORE VALUE, TO INVEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE LEGISLATION.

WE WILL BE MONITORING AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE INVESTMENTS REALLY BRING ABOUT THE BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY TO DISPROPORTIONALLY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SAY THAT.

AS WE KNOW, THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AREN'T FELT EQUALLY ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES.

YOU MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING THE NEEDS OF MINORITY BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

HOWEVER, IS THERE ENOUGH, I WANT TO SAY, TEETH TO THIS LEGISLATION?

IS THERE ENOUGH OF A REPERCUSSION IF YOU DO NOT ENGAGE IN SOME OF THE ENERGY EMISSION, WATER CLEANING, ET CETERA, IMPLEMENTATIONS THIS IS SET TO PROVIDE?

>> SO, WE SEE THAT THE BILL IS PROVIDING, I THINK IT'S $60 BILLION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE GRANTS.

THAT'S THE REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING IT CORRECTLY.

AS YOU SAID, REACHING THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NOT BENEFITTED IN THE PAST FROM OUR ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS.

I WILL START BY SAYING, I HAVE LEARNED EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FROM HIM.

HE WAS ONE OF MY FIRST BOSSES IN THIS FIELD.

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS IS THAT COMMUNITIES HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS THIS OPPORTUNITY AND INVESTMENT, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REACHING COMMUNITIES THAT MAYBE WE NEVER HEARD FROM BEFORE, THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH GROUPS LIKE THE NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE, THE NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE TO MAKE SURE THE FUNDING IS UTILIZED AND BRINGS ABOUT THOSE BENEFITS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THE BRUNT -- THE BURDEN HAS FALLEN ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

IT'S TIME TO REVERSE THAT TYPE OF WORK AND THAT TYPE OF INVESTMENT.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE COMMITTING TO.

NOW WE HAVE EVEN MORE MONEY TO DO IT.

>> WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

ARE THERE STILL ISSUES WHERE YOU SEE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT?

>> WELL, I THINK THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR IS GRACIOUS.

I THINK A LOT OF US ARE HOPEFUL WHEN WE HAVE PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE LEADER GARCIA LOOKING OUT FOR HOW THE LAW WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISPARITIES THAT HAVE PLAGUED OUR COMMUNITIES SO LONG BEGIN TO GET AMELIORATED.

THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN OF THE LAW ITSELF.

THE IRA TAKE AND GIVE AWAY.

WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT RECORD INVESTMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, THERE'S ALSO PROVISIONS OF THE BILL THAT RAISE QUESTIONS.

THERE APPEARS TO BE -- WE ARE ANALYZING THE BILL.

THERE APPEARS TO BE A TIME -- A WINDOW WITHIN WHICH -- WITHIN TWO YEARS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY WITHOUT A VERY CLEAR PATHWAY FOR HOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY, BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIEPORTIONALLY IMPACTED, HOW WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SIZABLE INVESTMENT IN A WAY THAT DIRECTS DOLLARS TO WHAT IT'S INTENDED, NOT JUST TO REDUCE EMISSIONS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT TO POSITION US TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS ENORMOUS CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET TO FOR DECADES.

THERE ARE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.

IN PARTICULAR, IT'S THE GULF SOUTH AND PARTS OF ALASKA THAT CREATE THE MOST CONCERN.

THESE ARE PREDOMINANTLY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE LARGE AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINO, BLACK, BROWN POPULATIONS IN THE CROSSHAIRS WHEN IT COMES TO THE EXPANSION OF FOSSIL FUEL GAS AND OIL EXTRACTION.

ONE OF THE MORE TROUBLING ASPECTS OF THE BILL IS BEFORE WE COULD GET TO OFFSHORE WIND PERMITTING, WE HAVE TO GIVE OIL AND GAS LEASES FIRST CRACK AT THOSE LEASES.

IT IS A REALLY DISTURBING POTENTIAL FOR HOW THIS BILL MAY UNFOLD IN THE COMING YEARS.

YEAH, THE KEY TO ENSURING JUSTICE IS GOING TO BE MONITORING ITS IMPLEMENTATION, FOR SURE.

>> MISS GARCIA -- HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE MASSIVE INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.

WHEN IT COMES TO AT LEAST REGION 2, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, DO YOU -- CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA WHEN AND HOW WILL WE SEE THE FUNDS IMPLEMENTED IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES?

>> THERE WILL BE SOME TIME FOR US TO FIGURE OUT WHERE ALL THE FUNDING IS AND WHAT PROGRAMS.

OBVIOUSLY, THE QUICKEST WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET AND INVEST THE MONEY IN COMMUNITIES IS TO USE IT THROUGH EXISTING PROGRAMS.

WE SEE A LOT OF MONEY, FOR INSTANCE, IN REDUCING POLLUTION FROM PORTS, WHICH IS USUALLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE METROPOLITAN AREA -- NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK TO WHERE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS THERE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT INVESTMENTS ON SCHOOL BUSES AND CHANGING OUT ALL DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES AND THE FLEET GOING TO ELECTRIC.

WE'RE GOING TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE AND, OF COURSE, THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

THE BIGGEST SCHOOL POPULATION AND MANY SCHOOL BUSES, AS WE KNOW.

REALLY CHANGING THOSE OUT.

WHAT ARE THE EXISTING PROGRAMS TO GET THAT MONEY AND THAT INVESTMENT FLOWING?

OF COURSE, WE LOOK AT THE BENEFITS OF REDUCING EMISSIONS IN COMMUNITIES.

WE'RE HOPING TO GET THE MONEY STARTING IN THE FALL, LATE WINTER.

THEN BEGINNING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH PROGRAMS WE CAN UTILIZE QUICKLY TO REALLY HAVE THOSE INVESTMENTS FLOW.

THEN WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AROUND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION, FOR THE WINTER MONTHS ACROSS NEW YORK.

WE DO HAVE GREAT PARTNERS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AT THE FOREFRONT OF TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE.

THANKS TO GROUPS AT THE FOREFRONT OF TACKLING IT WITH EQUITY IN MIND AND AT THE CENTER OF IT.

A LOT OF THE CLIMATE LEGISLATION WE CAN SUPPORT AND INVEST IN IS REALLY THROUGH THE WORK OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THAT MONEY FLOWING AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THE INVESTMENTS HAPPEN SOON AND THAT WE BEGIN TO SEE NOT ONLY US TACKLING THE CLIMATE CRISIS BUT REALLY REDUCING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

>> WE HAVE ALMOST RUN OUT OF TIME.

WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR A MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY, WHAT IS IT PEOPLE NEED TO SEE AND FEEL TO BE LIKE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALLY WORKING IN MY LIFE?

>> WHAT'S ACTUALLY GREAT IS THAT NEW YORK IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED IN MANY WAYS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE IRA.

WE PASSED A NATION LEADING CLIMATE ACTION LAW IN NEW YORK STATE CALLED THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT THAT'S A MANDATE FOR NEW YORK STATE TO GET TO NET ZERO 100% EMISSIONS REDUCTION BY 2050.

IT'S NOT ONLY THE MOST AMBITIOUS STATE LAW BUT IT'S ONE THAT INFLUENCED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

SO AS A STATE, WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED IN THAT WE ARE DEVELOPINGL HUNDREDS OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

WHAT'S MISSING IS THE FUNDING.

THE FEDERAL FUNDING WILL BE COMING AT A KEY MOMENT FOR US.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF MY GUESTS.

LISA, THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR EPA REGION 2, THANK YOU.

OF COURSE, EDDIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

SORT OF EXPLAINING WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE FROM THIS MONUMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL BILL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> "METROFOCUS" IS MADE POSSIBLE