A U.S. District Judge in South Carolina ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to resume distributing $2.8 billion in climate‑justice block grant funds that had been halted by the Trump administration.

The grant program was created under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to fund environmental and health projects in underserved communities.

Judge Richard Gergel ruled that the termination of the grants was unlawful but initially found the remedy impractical, later concluding that the agency must comply after reviewing filings. The court rejected the administration’s claim that no further action was required. EPA officials said they are reviewing the decision. The grants, which include a $500,000 award to CleanAIRE NC for air‑quality monitors in Mecklenburg County, were meant to address pollution and extreme heat. The Southern Environmental Law Center, which filed the suit with the Public Rights Project, said the agency had not responded to its inquiries after the order. An EPA spokesperson said the agency is working to comply with the court’s order.

The EPA must comply with the court order through September, leaving the distribution timeline uncertain while community groups await implementation.