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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will grant $10,000,000 to the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. This money will be used to establish a technical assistance center to help environmental justice organizations successfully apply for federal funds.

The 17 centers across the country will provide comprehensive coverage for the entire United States through a network of over 160 partners. Each of the technical assistance centers will receive at least $10 million to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns.

“Creating an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center right here in Louisiana is a massive victory,” said Rep. Carter. “This announcement delivers on my call forresources to help communities and nonprofits navigate the complex federal grant process. The people of Southeast Louisiana deserve long overdue justice and healing from the harms of industrial pollution.  This center will help them access the available funding to do so.”

Background

With this critical investment, these centers will provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals, and effectively managing grant funding. These centers will provide guidance on community engagement, meeting facilitation, and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants, thus removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns.

Partners of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice include:

Academic: 

• Xavier University
• Dillard University

Community-Based:

• East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission
• Coalition of Community Organizations
• Government: U.S. Representative, 2nd District
• City of New Orleans Office of Hazard Mitigation
• Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
• New Orleans City Council District E.
• Research and Policy: Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice
• Alliance for Affordable Energy
• Healthy Gulf

Faith-Based: 

• Louisiana General Missionary Baptist Convention and the Baptist Pastors Conference of New Orleans

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) introduced two pieces of legislation to establish critical grant programs for colleges and universities. The Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education Act will establish a grant program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create and expand programs at higher education institutions for emergency management and preparedness. The Equity in Research Act will establish a grant program within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote opportunities, strengthen, and develop existing research facilities at higher education institutions who need it the most.

“These grant programs will give our colleges and universities the helping hand they need,” said Rep. Carter. “First, we must ensure that these institutions have the resources to prepare and recover from disasters. My Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education Act will support construction, replacement, renovation, and operations costs resulting from any disaster or emergency.

“Second, my Equity in Research Act will stimulate sustainable improvement in existing research facilities and research development at colleges and universities with endowments lower than $900 million. This will give them the ability to build on the infrastructure, upkeep, and acquire materials they need. I will continue to advocate for higher education funding in Congress.”

The bill text for the Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education Act can be found here.

The bill text for the Equity in Research Act can be found here.

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DONALDSONVILLE, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) hosted Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Tristan Brown in Donaldsonville, Louisiana to announce historic investments in Louisiana’s energy infrastructure.

The Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program is aimed at mitigating safety risk and methane emissions from the highest-risk, legacy natural gas distribution pipes. The grant program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Rep. Carter strongly supported, and will improve high risk, legacy pipes, create hundreds of good-paying pipeline jobs, and modernize infrastructure that has been around for decades and in some cases even nearly two centuries old. The City of Donaldsonville will receive $10,000,000 from this federal grant.

Rep. Carter also secured $4,000,000 for Donaldsonville through Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations funding. This money will be used to complete phase two of necessary improvements and allow the city to move forward toward fully replacing the pipes which will protect the community from potential gas leaks.

“When I learned about this need, I committed to doing everything in my power to help fix this problem in the interest of public safety,” said Rep. Carter. “Donaldsonville’s current infrastructure consists of old cast iron distribution mains for the city’s natural gas system. We must work toward changing out all the cast-iron lines because it's a first and foremost a safety issue, and secondly, we don't want this to be a hindrance down the road to any development. This funding is crucial to make the city’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure safer, create good jobs, and reduce the risks to Donaldsonville residents and businesses.”

“Investments in pipeline safety are investments in community safety and our shared environment,” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “For far too long, underserved communities have had to bear the brunt of aging and dangerous pipelines. This funding will finally give communities the resources they need to replace legacy pipelines— improving safety, protecting the environment, and creating jobs.”

Background

These grants are projected to create hundreds of jobs in rural and urban communities around the U.S. Grant funding recipients will repair, replace, or rehabilitate nearly 270 miles of pipe, thereby reducing methane emissions by approximately 212 metric tons, annually. Ultimately, these projects enable the United States to leverage all available tools to reduce methane emissions while protecting public health, promoting U.S. innovation in new technologies, lowering energy costs for families by reducing inefficiency and waste, and supporting good-paying jobs for thousands of skilled workers across the country.

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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) hosted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan for a press conference announcing new actions to address emissions of toxic air pollution from chemical plants and reduce cancer risks from exposure to these chemicals in many communities across the country.

The new proposal secures environmental justice priorities and protects public health, including for communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals, like St. John the Baptist Parish.

“It’s no secret that emissions in our River Parishes are more prevalent than in other parts of the United States,” said Rep. Carter. “My district includes an industrial hub of nearly 150 oil refineries, plastics plants, and chemical facilities spanning from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, but it is foremost an area that thousands of families call home. It is important that we reduce emissions from these dangerous plants to improve the quality of life for residents, raise life expectancy, and lower the risk of cancer. Environmental justice MUST be at the center of any action to address disproportionate health and environmental impacts on communities, especially communities of color. Thank you, Administrator Regan, for being on the ground and once again demonstrating that not just words, but actions, yield results. Another promise made, promise kept.”

The proposal would reduce cancer risks from breathing in toxic air pollutants that are emitted from the specific processes and equipment covered under the rules. These pollutants are linked to several cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer, among others. EPA also expects the proposal to benefit children, who are more susceptible to the effects of EtO and chloroprene.

“For generations, our most vulnerable communities have unjustly borne the burden of breathing unsafe, polluted air,” said EPA Administrator Regan. “When I visited St. John the Baptist Parish during my first Journey to Justice tour, I pledged to prioritize and protect the health and safety of this community and so many others that live in the shadows of chemical plants. I’m proud that this proposal would help deliver on that commitment and protect people from toxic air pollution in communities across the country –   from Louisiana and Texas, to Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio. Every child in this country deserves clean air to breathe, and EPA will use every available tool to make that vision a reality.”

Background

EPA’s proposal would update several regulations that apply to chemical plants, including plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, and regulations that apply to plants that make polymers such as neoprene. The proposed updates would reduce 6,053 tons of air toxics emissions each year, which are known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects.

EPA will accept written comments for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register and will hold a virtual public hearing. The Agency also will hold a training for communities on April 13, 2023, to review the proposal and answer questions. Learn more. 

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DONALDSONVILLE, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) joined Mayor Leroy Sullivan, State Senator Edward J. Price, State Representative Ken Brass, and Community and Economic Development Director Lee Melancon to celebrate funding for the City of Donaldsonville’s natural gas system improvements. Rep. Carter secured $4,000,000 for the city through Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations funding. This money will be used to complete phase two of necessary improvements and allow Donaldsonville to move forward toward fully replacing the pipes which will protect the community from potential gas leaks.

“When I learned about this need, I committed to doing everything in my power to help fix this problem in the interest of public safety. I am proud to make good on that promise today,” said Rep. Carter. “Donaldsonville’s current infrastructure consists of old cast iron distribution mains for the city’s natural gas system. We must work toward changing out all the cast-iron lines because it's a first and foremost a safety issue, and secondly, we don't want this to be a hindrance down the road to any development. This funding is crucial to make the city’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure safer, create good jobs, and reduce the risks to Donaldsonville residents and businesses.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) released the following statement on the First Lady’s comments about the Women’s 2023 NCAA Championship teams:

“​Louisiana State University’s Women’s Basketball team won the 2023 NCAA Basketball championship and should enjoy their historic victory singularly.

​“With no disrespect to the outstanding players from Iowa, they did not win. The exceptional Louisiana Tigers are the indisputable winners of the championship, and this win is theirs and theirs alone. An invitation to the Iowa team would be at the expense of our Louisiana athletes. I know the First Lady meant no harm by commenting that the University of Iowa should also be invited to the White House, but her remark was an unintentional slight to the ladies of LSU and the citizens of Louisiana. I am respectfully requesting that these Louisiana champions enjoy the winner’s circle alone.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) and members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) attended a meeting at the White House with key officials in the Biden-Harris Administration to discuss their effort to implement the historic laws that Democrats enacted in the 117th Congress. The meeting coincides with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America tour, where President Biden, members of his Cabinet, and Congressional Democrats are traveling across the country over the course of three weeks to highlight the impact these laws are having on hardworking Americans.

“Over the past two years, House Democrats have delivered results. Period,” said Rep. Carter. “The historic legislation we passed in the 117^th Congress gives us an opportunity to create long-overdue equity for Black and Brown Americans who have historically been left out when we make investments. I am using my position as the representative for Region 7 to change that! Democrats are committed to making sure that these opportunities are accessible to everyone.”

Ever since Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries established the RLC in January 2023, the Members have worked tirelessly to deliver on the promise of the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and other laws that Congressional Democrats secured in recent years. The RLC will continue to play a leading role in ensuring that these landmark policies resonate in the lives of the American people for generations to come in every corner of the country.

Participants in the meeting included Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs Louisa Terrell, Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian, and Senior Advisors to the President Mitch Landrieu and John Podesta. Members laid out the RLC's three-part plan to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country know and feel the impact of these transformative laws: identify, implement, and inform. Whether delivering information to local stakeholders, making new programs and grants more accessible, or communicating the positive effects of these laws to the American people, the RLC and the Biden-Harris Administration will coordinate to ensure the American people can feel the impact of these historic measures.

"From lowering health-care costs to rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure, creating millions of quality jobs, and promoting community safety, Democrats delivered results in the 117th Congress," said Chairman Hoyer after the meeting. "I was pleased to meet with our partners in the Biden-Harris Administration today to talk about what the RLC can do to help ensure that we continue to deliver For The People. Regardless of who they are and where they live, Americans deserve to see how their tax dollars are being invested to improve their lives, their communities, and their economy. The RLC stands at the forefront of that effort, and we are glad to have enthused partners in the White House ready to help deliver these federal funds to create economic opportunity in every region.  We remain hard at work to make sure that new bridges and factories go up, costs go down, and workers and families across the country have the tools they need to Make It In America."

"The historic legislation Democrats helped shepherd through Congress and that President Biden signed into law are benefiting families and strengthening communities across America,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Regional Leadership Council to ensure as many Americans as possible feel the impacts of these historic bills – from accessing good-paying jobs they can raise a family on, to lower health care, internet, and energy costs, to expanded benefits for veterans and mental health services for students and families.”

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NEW ORLEANS, L.A. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) was joined by other elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the completion of the first two “lighthouses” that will serve residents during extended power outages. Congressman Carter secured $3.8 million to help fund the project - the single largest community project funding in the nation for a solar-related project.

Residents across New Orleans remember the misery caused by the catastrophic power failure that followed Hurricane Ida for several weeks. Our nation’s climate emergency is causing more frequent and destructive weather events, and extended power outages are becoming a common threat to Louisianians.

“Today marks a big step toward a sustainable solution to the many challenges created by frequent disasters and the power outages they cause. These lighthouses will enable our houses of faith and nonprofits to better serve Louisianians when it’s needed most,” said Rep. Carter.

The Community Lighthouse project aims to provide commercial-scale solar power and back-up battery capacity to 86 congregations and community institutions across the city. During extended power outages the lighthouses will immediately assess need and aid their surrounding communities. They will provide charging stations, food distribution, cooling and heating stations, oxygen exchange, light medical equipment, and more.

The initial pilot phase of 16 community lighthouses is expected to be completed and fully operational ahead of the 2023 hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1, 2023. When the entire network of 86 lighthouses is complete, every New Orleans resident will live within a 15-minute walk of one.

“Just because we are without power lines, we need not be powerless,” said Rev. Gregory T. Manning, a clergy leader of Together New Orleans and pastor of Broadmoor Community Church- the site of one of the first lighthouses.

“Here in New Orleans, we know what it’s like to be hit by disasters. And every time we have one, the Greater New Orleans Foundation steps up to play a leadership role,” said Andy Kopplin, President & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “Raising money to help our communities respond and recover is one of our most important jobs.  Every disaster teaches us something. Hurricane Ida taught us about the importance of our electric grid. That is why we are thrilled to have made a $1 million leadership challenge grant as the Founding Partner for the Community Lighthouse project. As the Greater New Orleans Foundation celebrates our 100th anniversary this year, we are proud to continue investing in projects and initiatives like this one with Together New Orleans that help ensure our region is resilient in the face of future storms.” 

“We can all recall the heat, anxiety, and frustration caused by power outages after disasters, most recently Hurricane Ida,” said City Council President JP Morrell. “Community Lighthouses are tangible and life-changing proof of what can be accomplished when we work together. Through the network of lighthouses, our city will be more resilient and able to help our most vulnerable neighbors. I’m grateful to Together New Orleans and all who partnered to make Community Lighthouse a reality.”

 “New Orleans is on the front lines of climate change, and we need to meet this growing threat with real solutions. Community Lighthouse is a shining example of that. I’m proud to partner with Together New Orleans and other organizations doing the work to empower our people and create a more resilient city for all,” said City Council Vice President Helena Moreno.

“After Hurricane Ida, Bethlehem Lutheran Church served as a literal beacon for our Central City community. I was proud to volunteer at the church in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane with Pastor Ben and other dedicated volunteers to provide hot meals, water, cleaning supplies, diapers, and, more importantly, a sense of community. That first week, we sweated it out in Bethlehem's kitchen making and distributing daily meals because there was no electricity,” said Councilmember Lesli Harris. “Now, with this Community Lighthouse, Bethlehem Lutheran and others like it can provide a reliable source of emergency power and air conditioning in times of natural disaster and power outages. I am grateful that the New Orleans City Council, Congressman Carter, and the Mayor's Office all support this important investment and advancement in our communities.”

Background

New Orleans and communities across Louisiana are on the front lines of the climate crisis, suffering the effects of more frequent and destructive weather events. The extended power outages they cause leave residents vulnerable to extreme temperatures and without critical medical supplies and necessities.

As a solution, Together New Orleans put forward a vision to build the nation's largest network of solar + storage resilience hubs at churches and community centers across Southeast Louisiana.

The Community Lighthouse is being funded through public-private partnerships, and philanthropic efforts, including:

• $3.8 million community project funding by Congressman Carter - the single largest in the nation for a solar-related project.
• $1 million from the Greater New Orleans Foundation through a “Leadership Challenge Grant” to launch the initiative.
• $2 million from the City of New Orleans, from Wisner Grant and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Other funders include the U.S. Department of Energy, Direct Relief, and Episcopal Relief and Development, among others.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) issued the following statement after the announcement that the Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, Ferdinand J. Cheri, passed away this morning.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Bishop Ferdinand Cheri, a beloved member of our community who served as the Franciscan Friar of the St. Louis Province for 25 years. In addition to his service in the Church, his affinity for archiving Black religious music was well known with a collection spanning 6,000 recordings and prestigious writing credits to his name in the field.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Bishop Ferdinand’s loved ones as all of New Orleans mourns his passing.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) released the following statement after recent merger decision clears the way for passenger rail line between Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and beyond.

“A high-quality, fast way to get across Louisiana is one step closer to reality. Reviving rail service between our two largest cities is critical to resolving the region’s transportation infrastructure issues. A passenger train has not run between Baton Rouge and New Orleans since 1969 but is critically important to Louisianians and vital to fostering growth in the region. This will also enable the realization of passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile.

“This has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to Congress. I will continue to monitor the progress of this merger to ensure that Canadian Pacific keeps the promises they have made to the citizens of Louisiana.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-Sc.) introduced the bipartisan Addressing Digestive Distress in Stomachs of Our Youth (ADD SOY) Act, a bill which requires schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or parent/guardian.

The ADD SOY Act makes soy milk available to children in schools who need an alternative to cow’s milk. This is especially important because large numbers of minority children particularly Black, Latino, Native American, and Asian-American, are lactose intolerant. These children experience adverse health effects simply because, in practice, dairy is the only type of milk offered in schools.

“It is abundantly clear that the current milk substitute system that USDA employs is delivering detrimental impacts on BIPOC school children,” said Rep. Carter. “Too many children who cannot safely or comfortably consume dairy are being forced to accept containers of cow’s milk on their lunch trays. My ADD SOY Act ensures the health and nutritional needs of all our nation’s students are met. America needs to embrace its diversity at the lunch counter.”

“The federal government is wasting $300 million of our tax dollars a year by mandating that every school kid getting nutrition assistance has a carton of cow’s milk on the tray even though millions of them don’t want it and get sick from it,” said Rep. Mace. “Thirty percent of kids throw the milk away in the carton, and hundreds of millions of tax dollars wasted is not spilled milk. Kids should have a healthy choice in lunchrooms.”

“Our nation’s ‘milk mandate’ is a sure-fire way to cause digestive distress and to impede classroom learning for millions of school kids with lactose-intolerance,” said Wayne Pacelle, President of Animal Wellness Action. “It's also a matter of reckless food and fiscal waste, easily remedied by giving kids a soymilk option. We are excited to work with Reps. Troy Carter and Nancy Mace to deliver nutritional choice in the lunchroom.”

Background

The rates of lactose intolerance in BIPOC communities are startlingly high, with 65 percent of Latino students, 75 percent of Black students, and 90 percent of Asian students unable to digest dairy milk without detrimental effects. Many children may not make the connection between consumption of the product and their feelings of discomfort and even illness. Currently, children who suffer adverse reactions from cow’s milk must produce a doctor’s note if they choose not to accept traditional milk with their lunch, this is in part due to Congress’ onerous “milk note” requirement. This requirement is an issue of equity as it places an unfair burden squarely on minority children.

Lactose-intolerance causes a range of health effects, from stomach pains to severe bloating to gas and diarrhea to even exacerbated asthma symptoms. This makes learning more difficult for children. Additionally, A USDA report in 2019 calculated the value of unopened, discarded milk at $300 million annually.

The ADD SOY Act is endorsed by Animal Wellness Action.

Full bill text can be found here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator and the U.S. Secretary of The Interior calling on industrial corporations or entities to certify that there are no burial grounds of the formerly enslaved on sites being considered for development when seeking a permit.

“In my home state of Louisiana, the legislature created the Louisiana Slavery Ancestral Burial Grounds Preservation Commission in 2017. This Commission protects the interests of the descendants of ancestors buried over a century ago,” Rep. Carter wrote. “This effort is not only significant to the formerly enslaved, it is important to all Americans. To truly embrace the American experience we must acknowledge our tragic past as part of our shared cultural identity.”

Many burial grounds and cemeteries of the formerly enslaved are unmarked graves, leaving little information on who these people were, how they lived, their interpersonal connections, and most importantly: their link to their current descendants. The discovery of these burial grounds is critical to help families trace back their roots and preserve these sacred spaces for future generations.

“History should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future. Our community deserves better, and our ancestors deserve peace,” he concluded.

Read the full letter here.

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