EPA Adminstrator Speaks At EJ in America Conference 2009

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, above, delivered a powerful statement via video to the attendees at The State of Environmental Justice in America Conference 2009.

The administrator received enthusiastic applause after her recorded statement. Administrator Jackson could not attend the conference because she was travelling in the Netherlands and France touring local water and energy projects and addressing global environmental issues.

Her full statement is at the video below.

Third and Final Day of EJ Conference Is Very Successful

The luncheon at the end of the conference was capped off by a video presentation from EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. She received loud applause. Thank you Administrator Jackson.

The final day of the conference was well attended and it is being reported that the panels were very informative and interactive. The last day agenda is below.

What Can the Stimulus Package Do for You? Federal Effortsto Expand Economic Opportunities and Promote Green Economies. Moderator: David Widawsky, Director, National Center on Economic and Innovation, United States Environmental Protection Agency Presenters: Velma Charles-Shannon, Environmental Justice Program Manager, Office of Outreach, United States Department ofAgricultureCarlton Eley, Program Manager, Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation, United States Environmental Protection Agency Jean Diggs, Program Manager, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy Jennifer Troke, Program Manager, Employment and Training Administration, United States Department of Lab or David S. Dillard, Economic Recovery Executive, United States Forest Service.

Engaging Students Climate Change - A Hands on ApproachConducting Waste Audits from the Garden to the Kitchen Cradle to Cradle. Moderator: Beverly Whitehead, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Health, Safety and Security, United States Department of Energy Presenters: Danielle Purifoy, Environmental Projects Coordinator, City of New Orleans Kari Fulton, National Campus Campaign Coordinator, Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative Jerald L. White, Filmmaker and Community Advocate, Bottletree Productions Merilee Harrigan, Vice President for Education, Alliance to Save Energy.

The Impacts of Climate Change – How Does It Affect Us. Moderator: David Padgett, Associate Professor, TennesseeState UniversityPresenters:Rosina Phillipe, Representative, Atakapa -Ishak Native AmericanTribe, and Member of American Wetlands Conversation Corps(AWCC)Sacoby Wilson, Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina Shankar Prasad, Executive Fellow, Coalition for Clean Air.

New Orleans: Before and After Hurricane Katrina. Moderator: Pamela Bingham, Diversity Chair & SustainabilityCommittee, American Society of Civil EngineersPresenters: Royce Duplessis, Student, Howard University School of Law Brandi White, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director, People for CommunityRecovery, Altgeld Gardens.

Lead Poisoning and The precautionary Principle. Moderator: Anthony J. Brownlow, Management Analyst, Department of Justice Presenters:Christina Wadlington, Program Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mia Whang Spiker, Student, Howard University School of Law Nelta Edwards, Professor, University of Alaska.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS Best Practices for Using the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) to Address EJ Challenges Moderators: Horst Greczmiel, Associate Director for NEPA Oversight, Council on Environmental Quality & Susan Bromm, Director, Office of Federal Activities, United States Environmental Protection Agency Presenters: Harold E. Peaks, Office of Project Development and Environmental Review, Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation Reggie Harris, Environmental Justice Coordinator, Region 3, United States Environmental Protection Agency Jim McElfish, Senior Attorney, Environmental Law Institute.

Have Your Water and Drink It Too: Facing the Challenges of Maintaining Water Infrastructure in Disadvantaged Communities Moderator: Charles Lee, Director, Office of Environmental Justice, United States Environmental Protection Agency Presenters: Mike Shapiro, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, United States Environmental Protection Agency Stephanie Adrian, International Water Programs Manager,Office of International Affairs, United States Environmental Protection Agency Sandi Boughton, Manager, Utility Programs, Water/Waste andRural Development, United States Department of Agriculture Cynthia D. West, Deputy Director, Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service.

Ensuring Green Jobs Address Equality and Justice for our Community Moderator: Karen Wilson, Vice President, Institutional Development, Tougaloo CollegePresenters:Danielle Purifoy, Environmental Projects Coordinator, City of New Orleans Sally Prouty, President, Core Network Susan Tucker, Director, The After Prison Initiative, CriminalJustice Fund/US Programs, Open Society Institute David Widawsky, Acting Director, National Cent er forEnvironmental Innovation, United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency.

Renewable Energy and Economic Alternatives for the Navajo Nation Moderator: Rhonda Brown, Faith-Based and NeighborhoodPartnerships Coordinator, United States Department of Agriculture Presenters:Bob Gough, Attorney, Intertribal COUP Darcie Houck, Attorney, Fredericka Peebles & Morgan, LLPSteve Tromly, Archaeologist, Bonneville Power Administration.

Proliferation of Bioweapons Laboratories – A Threat to Environmental and Social Justice Moderator: Leslie D. Nelson, Consultant, S.M. Stoller Corporation Presenters: Klare Allen, Lead Organizer, Roxbury (MA) Safety Net,Vicky Steinitz, Coordinator, Greater Boston Stop the BU Bio -Terror Lab Coalition Beth Willis, Co-Founder, Fredrick Citizens for Bio-Lab Safety

Designing Safety Models for Communities Moderator: Kathleen Binder, Director, Office of DisputeResolution, United States Department of EnergyPresenters:Michael Wenstrom, Coordinator, Environmental Justice Team,United States Environmental Protection Agency David Padgett, Associate Professor, Tennessee State University12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Closing Luncheon Crystal Ballroom Speakers: Jeff Allison, Manager, Savannah River Site, United States Department of Energy Gerald Boyd, Manager, Oak Ridge Site, United States Department of Energy

Day Two of Conference Moves To the Double Tree

The second day of the conference mirrored the first day in terms of attendance and interest. People from all over the country were wide-eyed and ready to question panelists. A description of the activities is below.

OPENING SESSION: Environmental Justice in the Obama Administration, Presider: Melinda Downing, Environmental Justice ProgramManager, United States Department of Energy. Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Anne Bartuska, Acting UnderSecretary, Natural Resources and Environment, United States Department of Agriculture.

CONFERENCE PLENARY SESSION: Federal Agencies Discussion, Presider: Darcie L. Houck, Attorney at Law, Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP. Discussion Leader: John C. Cruden, Acting Assistant Attorney General,United States Department of Justice. Panelists: David Hayes, Deputy Secretary, United States Department ofInterior Cheryl Cook, Deputy Under Secretary, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture. John Atcheson, Energy Technology Program Specialist , United StatesDepartment of Energy

CONCURRENT SESSIONS: We Are From the Government and We Are Here to Help. Federal Efforts to Integrate Environmental Justice. Moderator: Nicolas Targ, Program Manager, Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice, Office of Environmental Justice, United States Environmental Protection Agency Presenters: Carolyn Harper, Environmental Justice Initiatives, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry National Center for Environmental Health ,Centers for Disease Control Melinda Downing, Environmental Justice Program Manager, United States Department of Energy Carlton Lewis, Program Compliance Manager, Civil Rights/Program Compliance, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture Gladys Gary Vaughn, Director, Office of Outreach, United States Department of Agriculture Kent Benjamin, Associate Director, Office of Environmental Justice, Program Development and Integration, United States Environmental Protection Agency Susan Mockenhaupt, Program Manager, Urban & Community Forestry, U.S. Forest Service. Safiya Samman, Director, Conservation Education, U.S. Forest Service.

Bringing Federal Dollars Back to your Community: How toAccess Federal “EJ” Grants and other Grant-Writing Tips. Moderator: Geraldine Herring, Special Outreach ProgramManager, Office of Outreach and Diversity, United States Department of Agriculture Presenters: Sheila Lewis, Grants Manager, Office of Environmental J ustice,United States Environmental Protection Agency. Liam R. O'Fallon, Program Administrator, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Health and Human Services.

Getting a Seat at the Climate Change Table: Using Public Comment Periods to Your Benefit Wilson (This session features a hands on exercise) Moderator: Fred Jenkins, Environmental Justice Coordinator,Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, United States Environmental Protection Agency Presenters: Juanita Constible, Coastal Louisiana Technical Analyst, National Wildlife Federation. Sacoby Wilson, Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina Bryce E. Feighner, Supervisor, Chemical Process Unit, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Technology, Indigenous Communities and Human Rights Moderator: Johny Chaklader, Co-founder and President, Shapna and Co-founder of TEI and Student, Howard University School of LawPresenters: Chadwick Valliant, Student, Howard University School of Law Leila Khazra, Student, Howard University School of Law Kristen Bowden, Student, Howard University School of Law

Worker Training Panel: Green Jobs, Environmental Safety and Health Training to Support Green Jobs Initiative Nationwide Van Buren Moderator: Joseph “Chip” Hughes, Director, Worker Education and Training Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Presenters: Roshani Dantas, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice Green Jobs Training ProgramJerome Ringo, President, Apollo Alliance Myra Lewis, Assistant Director, Dillard University, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Patrick Brown, Trainer, OAI, Inc.

CONFERENCE PLENARY SESSION Poverty, Environmental Justice and Sustainable Agriculture -The Shapna Project Presider: Geraldine Herring, Special Outreach Program Manager, Office of Outreach and Diversity, United States Department of Agriculture Presenters: Tiffany Taylor, Co-founder and CFO, Shapna, and Co-founder,The Empowerment Initiative (TEI) Nick Elton, Co-founder and Chief Compliance Officer, Shapna and Co-founder, TEIElman Woodson, Chief Marketing Officer, Shapna and cofounder of TEIJohny Chaklader, Co-founder and President of Shapna and co -founder of TEISyed Hasib, Chairman and Co-founder of Tetulia Tea CompanyLimited (TTCL) Monjur Hossain, Vice Chairman, TTCLMosharraf Hossain, Managing Director.

Special Session Meet the Agencies

CONFERENCE PLENARY SESSION Health Disparities – The Unique Relationship Between the Quality ofour Environment and Health Disparities Moderator: David Rivers, Assistant Professor and Director of thePublic Information and Community Outreach, Medical University ofSouth CarolinaPanelists: The Honorable Donna Christ ianson, Member of Congress,US Virgin IslandsDebra Furr-Holden, Assistant Professor, Director, DIVE Studies Laboratory, Johns Hopkins UniversityMichael Bird, Public Health Consultant , Past President of the American Public Health Association

CONCURRENT Not on My Highway/Port: Federal and Corporate Partnerships Working to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Local Goods Movement Moderator: Mustafa Ali, Communications Lead, Office ofEnvironmental Justice, United States Environmental Protection AgencyPresenters:Victor McMahan, Office of Air and Radi ation, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, United States Environmental Protection AgencyApril Marchese, Director, Office of Natural and Human Environment, Federal Highway Administration, Department ofTransportationPatrick Davis, Vehicle Technologies, Office of Energy Efficiencyand Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy Craig Boroughf, Director, Transpor tation, USG Corporation Jack W. Gehring, Director, Emission Regulations andConformance, Caterpillar Inc.

Public Education: Climate Change, Environmental Justiceand Public Health Issues Moderator: Sonya Baskerville, Manager, National Relations at Bonneville Power Administration, United States Department of EnergyPresenters: Nia Robinson, Director, Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, Earth Justice Elizabeth C. Yeamprierre, Executive Director, UPROSE and Chair, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance Sharon Gauthe, Executive Director, Bayou Interfaith SharedCommunity Organizing (BISCO)

Climate Change and the Economy Moderator: Bruce Rooths, Senior Management Analyst, SAIC Presenters:Dawn Harris Jeffries, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Milton Bluehouse Jr., Environmental Justice a nd Tribal Liaison,State of New MexicoDoug Wyatt, Senior Consulting Scientist and Program Director, New Energy and Environmental Sciences, URS Corporation

Grass Roots Communities with Concrete Plans of Solving. Global Warming and Climate Justice Work and Sustainable Building for Entry Level and Low Income Citizens Moderator: Alfred Dixon, Former Mayor, Greenevers, North Carolina Presenters: Michael Loya, Technologies Specialist and Principal, La MesillaVerde.comLori Goodman, Treasurer, Dine’ Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment (Dine’ C.A.R.E.)

Environmental Justice at Work in Communities: Practical Case Studies Moderator: Ben Wilson, Managing Principal, Beveridge & Diamond, PC Presenters: Rich Walsh, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel forEnvironmental Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Valero EnergyCorporationHilton Kelley, Founder and CEO, Community In -Power & Development Association, Inc. Albertha Hasten, President, Louisiana Environmental Justice Community Organization Coalition John Segal, Attorney, Shenetech

Approaches to Brownfields Redevelopment Jackson Presenters: Nicolas Targ, Partner, Holland and Knight, LLPMichael Goldstein, Attorney, Akerman Senterfitt

2009 Conference Opening is a Spectacular Success

The opening of the State of Environmental Justice in America 2009 Conference was a complete success. Not only was the Moot Court at the Howard University School of Law packed, but Washington, D.C. power couple Avis and Eugene Robinson made quite a splash. Avis wowed the crowd from the dais and Eugene gets his Pulitzer tomorrow. Dr. Benjamin Chavis also participated in the opening forum. Clearly, this conference is off to an awesome start. Buckle your seat belts because John Rosenthall and the massive planning committee have organized an amazing environmental justice get together.

Presider: John Rosenthall, President, EJ Conference, Inc.Moderators: Timothy Fields, Jr., Former Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste andEmergency Response, United States Environmental Protection Agency and SeniorVice President, MDB, Inc.Lessie Price, Manager, Public Affairs Division, URS, Washington Division. Opening Presentation: How the Obama Administration Will Handle Environmental Justice, Energy and Climate Change. Presenter: Craig E. Hooks, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office ofAdministration and Resource Management, United States Environmental. Panel Discussion: Environmental Justice, Climate Change and Clean Coal-Panelists:Gina Wood, Director of Policy and Planning, Joint Center for Politics andEconomic StudiesShankar Prasad, Executive Fellow, Coalition for Clean Air, Beverly Hogan, President, Tougaloo College Doug Wyatt, Program Director, New Energy & Environmental Sciences, Lead, Integrated Carbon Solutions, URS Washington Division John Atcheson, Energy Technology Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Energy, Leslie Baskerville, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Avis Robinson, Former Deputy Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs (EPA) and President, Washington Metropolitan Scholars Closing Remarks: Okianer Christian Dark, Associate Dean, Howard University School of Law.

Dr. Mildred McLain was given an award and she addressed the crowd. If you know Dr. McLain, you have to know that it was not just a 'regular' acceptance speech. She serenaded the crowd and dedicated the award to one of her mentors. She also recognized DOE's Melinda Downing as a mentor (Melinda reciprocated).

There was a great reception at 7:00 p.m. in the Dining Hall and the Mistress of Ceremonies was Geraldine Herring, USDA. In addition to the great food, there was a Special Presentation by Michael Bullock Sr., Washington Bio-EnergyGroup and Selma al-Dairi, Mosaic Group, LLC.

Ben Chavis To Address EJ in America Conference

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr, right, will discuss environmental justice, campus greening, sustainability and other matters at a conference today at the Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC. Chavis is known for coining the phrase “Environmental Racism” and has been an environmental justice advocate for decades. He will present on a panel discussion at the Third Annual State of Environmental Justice in America Conference on May 27.

The conference will continue on Thursday and Friday at the Crystal City Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, Va. The conference bring together participants from federal agencies, academia, business and industry, non-profit organizations, local community activists and citizens to dialogue on achieving equality of environmental protection. This year’s conference will focus on youth involvement, sustainable community planning, environmental health indisadvantaged communities, and environmental justice considerations in emergency preparedness and homeland protection.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on EJ in China

"Workers rights, human rights, people's rights are part of environmental justice. Environmental justice is a principle that must be upheld as we go forward."




The Wall Street Journal, 5/26/09

EPA To Discuss EJ at Washington Conference

The Environmental Protection Agency will address environmental justice issues at a conference tomorrow at the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. Craig Hooks, EPA acting administrator for the Office of Administration and Resources Management, will deliver the keynote speech at the Third Annual State of Environmental Justice in America Conference on May 27.

The conference will continue on Thursday and Friday at the Crystal City Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, Va. The conference aims to bring together participants from federal agencies, academia, business and industry, non-profit organizations, local community activists and citizens to dialogue on achieving equality of environmental protection. This year’s conference will focus on youth involvement, sustainable community planning, environmental health in disadvantaged communities, and environmental justice considerations in emergency preparedness and homeland protection.

EPA’s own environmental justice program helps disproportionately-impacted communities create healthy, sustainable neighborhoods through local projects aligned with the top five priorities of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson — protecting America’s water, improving air quality, managing chemical risks, cleaning up hazardous waste sites, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past 15 years, EPA has awarded more than $32 million in environmental justice funding to help more than 1,100 communities address local pollution problems, creating healthier and more sustainable environments. More information

USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO REPAIR RURAL HOUSING

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, left, announced today that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes. Housing Preservation Grants are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. The grants are distributed to homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income people.

Grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing or provide access to people with disabilities. USDA may award up to $10 million in competitive grants through this notice. The grants to be awarded are part of USDA Rural Development's annual budget and are not funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Applications are due by the close of business July 10, 2009. Applications may be accessed electronically. Also see the May 11, 2009, Federal Register, page 21775.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site .

EPA's Jackson & Congressional Delegation To Tour Water Systems in the Netherlands

U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, members of Congress, state and local officials and others will go on a three day tour of the Netherlands’ comprehensive flood control system from May 26-28. EPA does work through several programs, such as smart growth and wetlands preservation, that focuse on flood mitigation.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Amsterdam: Site visit and briefings.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 The Hague: Briefings

Thursday, May 28, 2009 Rotterdam: Site visits and briefings.

UPDATE (May 27, 2009) May 27, 2009)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is scheduled to co-lead the U.S. delegation at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting. The OECD’s joint high level meeting of the Development Assistance Committee and the Environment Policy Committee will take place on May 28 and 29 in Paris, France. Administrator Jackson will share the U.S. lead with USAID Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham.

On Friday, May 29, Administrator Jackson will be a lead speaker in a discussion on low-carbon development and strategies for achieving a solution to climate change while reducing poverty and spurring economic development.

East Coast West Coast Who Is The Best Host? John

The conference is all set.

From everybody:

Thank you John.