New Bill Takes Significant Leap Toward Addressing Environmental Injustice

“Today Rep. McEachin, Rep. Grijalva and Senator Duckworth re-introduced one of the most innovative and inclusive environmental justice bills Congress has seen— the Environmental Justice for All Act. This landmark legislation addresses vital social and environmental justice issues, including health equity and a fair and just transition to a clean energy economy. The bill was informed by extensive input from environmental justice stakeholders. EDF commends this collaborative effort, which resulted in a bold new approach to these longstanding challenges.”
 

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

“Communities of color, low-income communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities have historically and consistently been disproportionately impacted by air and water pollution and are on the front lines of climate change impacts. By prioritizing robust community input in government decision making, centering policy around the devastating effects of cumulative pollution impacts and linking environmental harms to broader social injustices, this bill can contribute to safer, healthier and stronger communities across the country.”

• Margot Brown, Associate Vice President, Environmental Justice and Equity Initiatives

This legislation takes important steps to codify Executive Order 12898, which was first enacted under President Clinton to advance environmental justice at the federal level, increase community input under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and authorize grant funding to support research, education and implementation of projects to address environmental injustices. It also contains an important policy approach to increase consideration and use of cumulative pollution impacts — the combined effects of environmental hazards, pollution sources and other health and socioeconomic factors — in federal decision making.