Sophia Schmidt

In a termination letter, the EPA said it is ensuring its grants do not support programs promoting “DEI” or environmental justice initiatives.

The plan includes expanding twice-weekly trash pickup to North Philly, fixing heating and air conditioning in libraries and adding planters to commercial corridors.

At a packed town hall, City Councilmember Jeffery Young proposed replacing the library with a mixed-use building. It didn’t go well.

“There have been way too many fires at EMR,” one neighbor said. “Nothing’s been done.”

“Their actions caused the … 4-story building to be fully engulfed in flames,” one first responder wrote in a report obtained by WHYY News.

One possible challenge: Officials say a $12 million federal grant to help implement the Philly Tree Plan is frozen.

Neighbors reported difficulty breathing, headaches and lingering odors in the aftermath of the massive blaze.

Residents say they are tired of repeatedly cleaning up their communities. They urged the city to invest in education and enforcement.

In a recording obtained by WHYY, a Camden County official said it was “by the grace of God” neighboring sewage treatment operations were spared.

The creek is not used for drinking water, and officials say no other source of drinking water has been affected.

Friday’s scrapyard fire caused roughly 100 people to evacuate their homes. It wasn’t EMR’s first.

Residents say officials should have communicated in “real-time” and released details about air monitoring and chemicals at the plant sooner.