♪ >> Michael S. Regan, the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, next on "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, we are committed to diversity and understand our responsibility in supporting and empowering diverse communities.

Diversity and inclusion is integral to the way we work.

Supporting the financial health of our diverse customers and employees is one of the many ways we remain invested in inclusion for all, today, tomorrow, and in the future.

American Petroleum Institute.

Through the core elements of API's Energy Excellence Program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental, and sustainability progress throughout the natural-gas and oil industry in the U.S. and around the world.

You can learn more at api.org/apienergyexcellence.

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♪ >> We're very honored, and, quite frankly, it's a special pleasure.

My homeboy from North Carolina, Michael Regan, welcome to "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Thank you, Dr. Chavis.

It's such an honor to be here today.

>> Well, listen, man, you're not only the youngest person to head the EPA, you're the first African-American male to head the EPA.

But besides those statistics, I want to talk about your upbringing.

Wayne County, Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Tell me about your mother and father.

>> Well, you know, I was born into public service.

My father graduated from A&T State University.

>> Great HBCU, Greensboro, North Carolina.

>> Yes, that's correct.

And he was immediately drafted into Vietnam, served 18 months in Vietnam, came back home, and he's an agricultural extension agent.

But he retired with the North Carolina National Guard.

>> Okay.

>> My mother, a nurse for 40 years.

I like to say the best nurse in North Carolina.

And so I grew up with this desire to contribute to society because of what I saw in my home.

>> And then you went on to graduate from A&T yourself.

>> I did.

You know, I grew up in Eastern North Carolina, hunting and fishing with my dad and my granddad.

I always had an appreciation for the outdoors, for our natural resources and the environment.

So I went to A&T and, like most students, didn't quite know what I wanted to study, but I ended up studying environmental science, which really matched with how I was raised, enjoying the outdoors.

>> So, you can major in environmental science at A&T?

>> Oh, A&T, as you know, is a great HBCU and A&T has a great STEM program, great nursing program.

But environmental science, environmental studies, earth science, A&T is so strong in areas other than engineering, which it's mostly known for.

Our HBCUs are so important.

And I can honestly say I don't believe I'd be sitting here as the first black administrator, male administrative, EPA, but for A&T and the solid foundation that I received there.

>> Well, you certainly are a great representation of the legacy of that HBCU and your family.

Let's start first with the passage of the infrastructure bill.

How does that impact the EPA today?

>> Oh, it's a significant shot in the arm in terms of the resources that we can use to protect our air, our water, and our land.

Just from the bipartisan infrastructure law, $50 billion -- billion with a "B" -- given to EPA to work with the states to really rebuild our crumbling water infrastructure system.

>> $50 billion.

>> $50 billion.

$5 billion to use to focus on electrifying our yellow school buses.

And then $5 billion to focus on Superfund cleanup and brownfield development cleanup.

This is so important, because when we think about the health of our communities, we really need this infrastructure bill to be put to good use.

And we are executing on the president's vision.

But, more importantly, our black and brown communities, our tribal communities that have not had a seat at the table, now have a seat at the table, and we have resources to keep them at the table and begin to provide some solutions -- some resources for the solutions that they've had for decades.

>> How does the EPA work with the other agencies?

Interior, Department of Energy... >> Yes.

>> Agricultural.

You have your separate agencies, but at some point, you all work together toward the goal and objectives of the Biden-Harris administration.

>> Absolutely.

And the president recently convened many of those West Coast governors to think about how we tackle these wildfires.

And you're exactly right.

EPA works hand in hand with the USDA and the Department of Interior to be sure that our lands are managed correctly, but that, also, we replenish this Earth with as many trees as possible, because that is a way to trap CO2.

And EPA has developed tools and we have a website that really helps to inform the public on the impacts of wildfires.

You know, you can have a wildfire in one state, and that smoke can travel across state lines.

And we need to be able to alert our public that this is a bad-air-quality day.

Therefore, you may need to keep your children at home or you may not be able to go out for that jog, because we want to reduce those asthma triggers.

And so, yes, we are working hand in hand with these other agencies to reduce the threat of wildfires.

But if we have them and if we have the smoke pollution, EPA's working really hard to educate our public on that.

>> And just a corollary, Marcia Fudge is the secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

How does the EPA and the HUD work together?

On the one hand, the housing industry is expanding rapidly, but on the other hand, minorities in particular are losing their homes.

Can't afford, because of gentrification, to live in the inner cities, and even sometimes, when you get pushed out to the suburbs, the affordability is just not there.

So how does the EPA work with HUD?

>> You know, I'm working very closely with Secretary Fudge.

Number one, she's a mentor.

Number two, she's an excellent HUD secretary.

And I think, on the housing issues, she is really wrapping her arms around all of the issues that you've raised and that intersectionality to environmental injustice.

One area is how we are seeing a lot of people rehab these homes and not properly dispose of the lead in the paint and how we deal with lead pipes.

So Secretary Fudge and I are really focused on ensuring that the indoor quality, air quality, water quality, exposure to toxins from lead paint, we're making sure that people are not disproportionately impacted as we think about rehabbing and refurbishing our housing stock.

>> We all were horrified by what was discovered in Flint, Michigan.

But the truth of the matter is, we have lead pipes all over the United States.

How does your leadership at the EPA and with the passage of the infrastructure bill -- how does that intersect with the reality of all these lead pipes in America?

>> It's ground zero.

I am so grateful for the president's leadership and focus on the lead-pipe issue.

And because of that, we have $15 billion solely focused on eradicating the lead pipes in this country.

And, Dr. Chavis, you know this as well as I do.

Most of our lead-pipe exposure is in our environmental-justice communities, our black and brown communities, our low-income communities.

As a matter of fact, if you are black in America and at or below the poverty level, you are four times more likely to have elevated levels of lead in your blood.

That is just unconscionable.

>> Is that -- >> That is correct.

>> Across the United States.

>> Across the United States.

And so that's why it's so important that we eradicate these lead pipes.

There is no acceptable level of lead for anyone.

But we really have to focus on those who are disproportionately exposed to this tragedy.

>> Over what time period will these pipes be replaced?

>> We are working as diligently as possible to get these resources in the hands of the states, and based on the level of lead-pipe exposure and the number of lead pipes, the states will determine the timeline by which these will be eradicated.

But what I'd like to say is, as soon as possible.

Some states are able to move faster than others.

Some states have really been on the ball, states like New Jersey.

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Baraka has really tackled this issue, and he'll have all of the lead pipes eradicated in the next 2 -- Well, I think 2 to 3 years.

>> That's great.

Ras Baraka -- he's the young mayor of Newark, New Jersey.

>> Yes.

>> Fine young man.

>> And he decided to pursue this prior to the bipartisan infrastructure law.

As a matter of fact, I believe that Newark, New Jersey, already has eradicated all their lead pipes.

So we're using them as a model as we travel to Chicago and Detroit and St. Louis and even some places in our hometown -- home state of North Carolina.

We hope to get this problem resolved as soon as possible.

>> You've mentioned the term "environmental justice."

You know, I had a little something to do with coining the term "environmental racism."

But explain to our listening audience, what is "E.J."?

What is the environmental-justice movement in America?

>> You know, it's a very powerful, powerful movement.

And environmental justice, really, at the most basic level, is every person in this country, no matter their race, their zip code, or how much money they have in their pockets, deserves equal protection under the law from environmental hazard and harm.

And we know, in this country, because of systemic racism, that black and brown and low-income communities and our tribal communities are disproportionately exposed to pollution and toxins all over this country.

That is ending under this administration.

And, by the way, I'm proud President Biden has made environmental justice a cornerstone of this administration, the first sitting president to talk about environmental justice during the State of the Union.

He's very serious about it, and that gives me a lot of room to run, and we are being very serious about it at EPA.

>> But, as you pointed out, President Biden has taken leadership on this.

Do you find communities of color -- are they encouraged to have a brother like you at the EPA?

Because I know you've taken a tour to "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana and other parts of the country where there's been this disproportionate exposure.

>> You know, I would say yes.

And they're just like me.

I'm fortunate.

I grew up in North Carolina.

North Carolina has a rich history of civil rights and environmental justice.

The work that you've done all over the country.

But we start with the racism in Wilmington that we really focused on.

We focused on Warren County, North Carolina, in 1982.

We focused on the Greensboro Four and the sit-in in North Carolina.

My job is to build on the historic work that you and others have done.

So the same way that I was inspired watching you-all do your work is the same way the next generation is inspired when I come into their communities.

And so I'm visiting these communities.

I'm letting them know that we hear them, we see them, we believe them, and we're walking through remedies on the ground.

I did take a tour through our Black Belt, visiting Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, and really giving a voice to the voiceless.

I will say that I was in Jackson, Mississippi, and I was scheduled to have a conversation with some second and third graders about environmental justice.

School was canceled that day.

And why was school canceled that day?

Because the water pressure in that school was so low that the cafeteria workers couldn't prepare the lunches.

>> This is in Mississippi?

>> This is in Mississippi in 2021.

And the students didn't have a bathroom to use.

And so the outside of that school was lined with porta-potties.

I thought it was a construction site, but, actually, it was the place where the students were using the restroom.

This is also on the heels of a pandemic.

This is the inadequate water infrastructure that we're seeing all over the country.

And our students -- we're so excited that the few that remained behind -- they were so excited to have someone show up and help them understand that help was on the way because of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

But, number two, because I looked like them, they were enthusiastic.

And then, number three, Dr. Chavis, I'm proud to say that the mayor, myself, and the school superintendent, all graduates of HBCUs.

So we had a conversation with the students about how our education's prepared us for this moment.

>> I know it's a political question, but I wanted to know, how does the EPA intend to have oversight over what these states do?

>> It's a very important question.

And, you know, a few things.

The first is the bipartisan infrastructure resources that we're pushing through to the states.

Most of them are non-matching grants or forgivable loans, which means more of our communities will have an opportunity to compete for these grants.

So, that's number one.

Number two, we are making $50 million available for technical assistance to help our communities become more competitive to compete for these grants.

Number three, I've written a letter to every governor in this country outlining the criteria by which we believe these resources should be spent.

Number four, I'm traveling the country, meeting with all of our mayors, because a lot of this action starts at the ground level.

And then, everywhere I go, whether it's the Journey to Justice tour or talking about bipartisan infrastructure, we are bringing the press, the national media with us so that they can see some of these things that are happening on the ground.

You know, I was in Lowndes County, Alabama, just a few weeks ago to really -- >> That's part of the Alabama Black Belt.

>> Part of the Alabama Black Belt.

And in 2022, to have 30-plus-percent of the population in that county have hookworm is unconscionable.

>> 30%, one-third?

>> One-third.

Over 30% of the citizens in Lowndes County have or have been exposed to hookworm because of inadequate water infrastructure.

It's important that we work with the county, with the states to get some of these bipartisan-infrastructure-law resources to Lowndes County because their septic systems are antiquated.

As a matter of fact, there were some homes that are doing straight piping.

They have a pipe from the toilet through the side of their home that's spewing waste in the very yard that their children are playing in.

This is unconscionable in this country in 2022.

And these are the types of communities that we need to be sure get these resources.

>> Talk to us about the intersection between air and environmental justice.

>> They go hand in hand.

As we focus on the most important issue our generation is facing, climate change, we can't take our eyes off the ball that air quality has improved but is still a serious issue for so many communities.

This is why we have been fortunate to get resources from Congress -- over $100 million -- to focus on air-monitoring- and environmental-justice-type projects.

We need to be sure that the communities that are disproportionately impacted by air pollution begin to see some remedy.

By the way, I am not afraid to use our enforcement arm to enforce the laws that are on the books to be sure that all of our children are breathing clean and healthy air.

And then, with the bipartisan infrastructure law I mentioned, $5 billion for yellow school buses.

This is an opportunity for kids to go to and from school and not be exposed to diesel emissions.

So, when I think about climate change, I have air quality, water quality, I have all of these environmental factors kept together because we have to walk and chew gum at the same time.

But we also know that the least amongst us are the ones that are most impacted by the impacts of climate change.

>> Right.

I know, up in Harlem and in the Bronx, almost 60% of the children have asthma.

They're not born with asthma, but they catch asthma.

So, talk to us, both in the urban setting and in the rural settings, the importance of having good air quality.

>> It's so important and it's akin to the deficiencies that we see when children are exposed to lead.

When you're having an asthma attack on your way to school, you're not in the right frame of mind to really enjoy school that day and take in all that education.

When you struggle breathing all throughout the day, you can't participate in resource.

You can't focus on your studies.

Whether it's lead or asthma or other respiratory illnesses, especially for our children, it puts them at a competitive disadvantage to be healthy, productive citizens, and especially in our urban communities.

And so focusing on diesel emissions from our heavy-duty trucks, focusing on our school buses, we have to work on reducing that air pollution.

But we also have to focus on racist policies in terms of how our highways have been designed to go through our communities.

And this is a place where Secretary Buttigieg and I've had a lot of conversations.

You know, this environmental-justice topic is so expansive.

And the president has really suggested -- almost not really suggesting, but really laying down the law, this is a whole-of-government approach.

And as the EPA administrator, I'm working with all of our cabinet agencies to focus on environmental justice because it is a problem that has gone on for far too long.

>> You're at the cabinet meetings as a member of the president's cabinet.

You know, every time I go in The White House lately, I say, "Man, there's a lot of diversity up in this place."

Unprecedented.

But at the cabinet table itself, where you sit, share with us, how is it being noticed on the question of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the cabinet level?

>> You know, the president really put his money where his mouth was, and the cabinet is a representation of this country.

And it's beyond just the optics.

When we have our discussions and when we're talking through our government solutions, these solutions are representative of our country.

Race, gender, rural, urban, rich, poor.

We have a cabinet that is very capable in terms of problem-solving, but they bring a lens to every problem that is really reflective of every aspect of our country.

That is so important, because when we come up with solutions, we don't want to be paternalistic or academic.

We want solutions that work for the country.

The president has assembled a very talented team that really knows how to solve problems.

And it matters.

It matters that you have a diverse group of people in a room talking about some of the most complex issues our world is facing.

>> We have a lot of members from Generation Z and Millennials who watch "The Chavis Chronicles."

What advice and counsel would you have to the youth of America about some of the career opportunities in the environmental field?

>> You know, first thing I'd say is, every serious movement in this country was led by our youth, you being a perfect example of the trailblazing work that you've done and others have done.

I would advise our youth to, first and foremost, never take no for an answer.

They should have a seat at the table, and they have a vision for this country, just like everyone else, and it needs to be heard.

There are so many opportunities in the environmental field for our youth.

You and I discussed STEM is a great avenue to contribute to saving this planet, but also ensuring that every person has clean air and clean water to drink.

Our legal scholars -- you know, the law plays a critical role in ensuring that fairness -- >> There's a whole body of law now called environmental law, and 50 years ago, that hardly existed.

>> That's right.

And as that begins to needle down, now environmental justice is embedded in a lot of those courses.

So whether you're an engineer, accountant, scientist, or have the legal desire, the field is wide open for our young people, and I would encourage them to pursue that field.

It doesn't have to be government, because even in our private sector, the private sector is laser-focused on the environment and sustainability right now.

So it really makes a difference when you're working towards something that's bigger than yourself.

And I would encourage everyone to pursue that.

>> As you look toward the future of America, what gives you your greatest hope?

>> You know, I think it is the young people in this country.

I will tell you, I travel all around this country, and given the political rancor that we're seeing, wars going on everywhere, so many issues that we're facing, when I engage with young people, they know that the future is theirs, and they are excited and anxious to take on leadership opportunities.

There's a level of optimism that is filled when you enter a room of young people.

And so I am excited about the future for our young people.

And I try as often as possible at every stop to have an engagement with our young people.

>> What's a website if people want to go find out employment opportunities or find out some of the issues that the EPA currently addresses?

What's the website they should go to?

>> They should go to our main website, www.epa.gov.

And on that web page, it will be very easy to navigate to all of our jobs and our openings, but also all of the great work that we're doing.

We're showcasing our E.J.

work, our bipartisan-infrastructure-law work, and then you easily navigate to the jobs we have available.

>> What is your message, as the administrator of the EPA, of the importance of young people participating in civic engagement?

>> It's of the utmost importance.

You know, again, I would say that we've always had political differences in this country, but if you look back at the last four years, we're still living with a lot of consequences.

If you look at some of the recent, you know, social decisions that are being made today, the Supreme Court decision on Roe vs. Wade, we think about where we are on voting rights, this democracy is fragile.

This democracy is always under construction.

If young people don't vote, they won't have a seat at the table to help build this country to be as great as it should be.

So we can't take that for granted.

We also can't take our history for granted, Dr. Chavis.

And I have to say, it is because of leaders like yourselves that fought for the right to have access to the ballot, fought for the right to have a seat at the table, it's incumbent upon all of us and the generation behind me to continue to pick that torch up and carry it.

>> How do you intersect with other environmental leaders outside of the United States?

Explain to us how important it is that public policy have not only a local perspective, a state perspective, a regional perspective, a national perspective, but a global perspective.

>> It's so important.

And the president made that clear on day one, that science was back and American leadership is back.

And I can tell you, as I've traveled around the world and met with my counterparts in countless countries, they are excited to see American leadership back at the table, because this country is very innovative, very entrepreneurial, and a lot of the problems that we're facing can be really solved using technology and innovation and good policy.

And so it's very important that we not only engage with our international counterparts, but we demonstrate leadership.

I think that's what President Biden is doing.

That's definitely what I'm attempting to do.

And I can tell you, it is received with open arms as we all travel the world.

>> The esteemed administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Michael Regan, thank you for joining "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Thank you, Dr. Chavis.

Really appreciate it.

>> For more information about "The Chavis Chronicles" and our guests, please visit our website, at TheChavisChronicles.com.

Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, we are committed to diversity and understand our responsibility in supporting and empowering diverse communities.

Diversity and inclusion is integral to the way we work.

Supporting the financial health of our diverse customers and employees is one of the many ways we remain invested in inclusion for all, today, tomorrow, and in the future.

American Petroleum Institute.

Through the core elements of API's Energy Excellence Program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental, and sustainability progress throughout the natural-gas and oil industry in the U.S. and around the world.

You can learn more at api.org/apienergyexcellence.

Reynolds American, dedicated to building a better tomorrow for our employees and communities.

Reynolds stands against racism and discrimination in all forms and is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

♪