Thursday, November 21, 2013

EPA Environmental Justice Community Outreach Call

November 21 Teleconference

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Phone Number: (877) 744-6030

Access Code: 99212070

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice invites environmental justice advocates to participate on our next Environmental Justice Community Outreach Call, which will take place on November 21, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. ET. This month's call will focus on two areas:

· EPA's ongoing outreach efforts on the carbon pollution guidelines for existing power plants – New Source Performance Standards (Section 111d)
 
· Events celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Executive Order 12898
 
The purpose of these calls is to provide information to participants about the Agency's EJ activities and maintain an open dialogue with EJ advocates. As EPA continues to advance Plan EJ 2014, the Agency hopes that these calls will better inform the public about EPA's EJ work and enhance opportunities to take advantage of federal activities.

Listen to, or read about, previous calls

More information about Plan EJ 2014

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

EPA Awards 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a total of $1.1 million in competitive grants to 39 non-profit and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice issues nationwide. The grants will enable the organizations to develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in low-income, minority and tribal communities overburdened by harmful pollution.

These grants help build capacity, raise awareness, and equip communities with the tools to address environmental challenges – from climate change impacts to brownfields and water pollution.

The 2013 grants support activities that address a range of community concerns such as reducing exposure to indoor environmental asthma triggers, restoring and protecting waterways, educating child care professionals on ways to prevent lead poisoning, and reducing pesticide use in child care facilities.

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, EPA’s environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,400 communities. The grant awards represent EPA’s commitment to promoting community-based actions to address environmental justice issues.

In the fall of 2013, EPA will issue a Request for Proposals for the FY 2014 Collaborative Problem Solving Grants. A schedule of pre-application community stakeholder teleconference calls will be announced at that time.  (EPA)

2013 EJ Small Grant recipients and project descriptions

More information about EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BRAINTRUST

A Historical Review of Executive Order 12898
Honorary Host: Rep. James E. Clyburn


Friday, September 20, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Washington Convention Center Room 143-B
This year's Environmental Justice Braintrust will focus on the implementation of Executive Order 12898, which was issued in 1994 to address environmental justice issues in minority and low-income populations.
 
The panel will assess how far we have come and how far we still have to go. The Joint Center will focus in particular on these issues in light of the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan.
 
Discussions will explore the unique relationships between human health, environmental justices and economic development and how to improve the quality of life in challenged communities nationwide.
Speakers include:
 
 
Ms. Melinda Downing – Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Department of Energy
 
Ms. Danielle Deane – Energy & Environment Program, Joint Center for Political & Economic Studies
 
Dr. Mildred McClain – Harambee House, Inc.
 
Mr. Milton Bluehouse, Jr. – Tribal Consultation Resources, LLC
 
Dr. Sue Briggum – Waste Management, Inc.
 
Mr. Timothy Fields – MDB, Inc.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Public Meeting

Select Sessions Available via Teleconference


September 11-12, 2013, Atlanta, Georgia


Registration closes 12 p.m. ET September 5.


During the upcoming National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Public Meeting on September 11-12, 2013, four sessions will be available via audio teleconference to those unable to attend in person:

Session 1: September 11, 2013, Morning (9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ET)
  • Remarks from the EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy (9:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.)
  • Dialogue with the Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Stan Meiburg (10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Panel Discussion: Considering Environmental Justice in TSCA (10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)
Session 2: September 11, 2013, Afternoon (1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. ET)
  • Updates about Plan EJ 2014 (1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
  • Progress Report: EJ and Enforcement (2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
  • PM2.5 NAAQS Implementation Regulatory Development Discussion (2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
  • Dialogue with the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice Director; Matthew Tejada (3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.)
Session 3: September 12, 2013, Morning (9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ET)
  • Panel Discussion: Climate Adaptation (9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Next Steps for Addressing EJ in Permitting (10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
  • Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Advancing Community-Based Work at the EPA (11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
Session 4: September 12, 2013, Afternoon (1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. ET)
  • Recognizing 20 Years of the NEJAC (1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
  • Update: NEJAC Work Group on Community Resiliency in Environmental Justice Industrial Waterfront Communities (2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
  • Update: NEJAC Indigenous Peoples Work Group (2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
  • Update: NEJAC Research Work Group (3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.)
Separate phone lines will be used for each session. When you register, please indicate which session(s) you plan to attend. For example, "I will attend all four sessions," or "I will attend sessions 3 and 4." There will not be a public comment period during these sessions.

Please note that a limited number of lines will be available. Those who are pre-registered will be given priority over others on a first-come basis, as capacity allows. Participating individuals will be able to hear real time presentations and the NEJAC member discussions on the topics specified above. The teleconference will be audio only, in an effort to minimize cost.

You can register as follows:
  • By Email to with "Register for the NEJAC-September Teleconference" in the subject line. Please provide your name, organization, city, state, email address, and telephone number for future follow-up. Please indicate which session number you will attend. Separate pre-registration lists will be kept for each teleconference session.
  • By Phone or Fax to 877-773-1489 with your name, organization, city, state, email address, and telephone number. Please specify "NEJAC-September Teleconference" and the teleconference session number(s) that you will attend in your fax or voice message.
Non-English speaking attendees wishing to arrange for a foreign language interpreter may also make appropriate arrangements using these numbers.

Members of the public who wish to attend any of the sessions must pre-register by noon Eastern Time on Thursday, September 5, 2013.

Information about Services for Individuals with Disabilities:

For information about access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Ms. Estela Rosas, APEX Direct, Inc., at 877-773-1489 or via email.

More information about the September NEJAC meeting:

Monday, August 19, 2013

NEJAC Meeting Sept 11-12 in Atlanta, Georgia

Registration now open (Advance registration closes August 28)

The next face-to-face meeting of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) will be held at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia, on September 11 and 12, 2013. The meeting will include a public comment period.

Meeting Registration: Registration is required for everyone (including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and other federal employees). Advance registration closes at Noon Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. Meeting materials will be prepared based on the number of participants who have pre-registered by that date.

There are four easy ways to register:

  • Online:
  • By E-mail: Send an e-mail to with "Register for the NEJAC September Meeting" in the subject line. Please provide your name, organization, mailing address (including city, state, and zip code), e-mail address, and telephone number for future follow-up as necessary.
  • By Fax: Print the Web page containing the registration form and fax to 877-773-0779.
  • By Phone: Leave a message at 877-773-0779. Please provide your name, job title, organization, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number for future follow-up as necessary.

Non-English speaking attendees wishing to arrange for a foreign language interpreter also may make appropriate arrangements by calling the number above or by sending an e-mail to the e-mail address above.

Hotel Reservations. A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the prevailing government rate at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, under the group code EPA-NEJAC. If you are planning to stay at the Hyatt Regency for the meeting, you must contact the hotel directly to reserve your room. Call 1-888-421-1442 or visit the website . To be eligible for the negotiated room block rate, you must contact the hotel before Friday, September 6, 2013.

Public Comment Sign-Up: Members of the public who wish to speak during the Public Comment period should pre-register by Noon Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. To accommodate the large number of people who want to address the NEJAC, only one representative of a community, organization, or group will be allowed to speak. If time permits, multiple representatives from the same organization can provide comment at the end of the session. In addition, those who did not sign up in advance to give public comment can sign up on site; however, those who sign-up in advance will be called to speak first.

Written comments also can be submitted for the record. The required format for individuals providing written public comments is as follows:
  • Name of speaker
  • Name of organization/community
  • City and state
  • E-mail address
  • A brief description of the concern, and what you want the NEJAC to advise EPA to do
Written comments received by Noon Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, will be included in the materials distributed to the members of the NEJAC. Written comments received after that time will be provided to the NEJAC as time allows. All written comments should be sent to NEJACSep2013Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com.

Chemical Sensitivity: As you may be aware, some individuals who attend NEJAC meetings suffer from chemical sensitivity due to multiple exposures in their communities. As a result, they may have adverse health reactions to products commonly used everyday, such as scented air fresheners, scented toiletry items, perfumes, colognes, etc. In addition, other individuals may suffer from asthma triggered by exposure to these same products. Please be sensitive to the needs of these NEJAC meeting participants by refraining from using perfumed or scented items at the meeting. We ask that you also share this request with others in your office who may be planning to attend. Thank you for your careful consideration and attention to this matter.

For more information, please contact EPA Support Contractor, APEX Direct Inc., at 877-773-0779 or NEJACSep2013Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com.
00362

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis

Announcement of 60 Day Extension of Public Comment Period for Draft Guidance

On May 9, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued for public comment a document entitled, "Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis." On July 1, a Federal Register Notice was published, and it announced the extension of the public comment period by 60 days. The public comment period will now close on September 6, 2013.

You can view and comment on the draft technical guidance at Regulations .gov .

Access the Federal Register Notice for this announcement.

This effort is an important initiative under Plan EJ 2014, EPA's road map for carrying out the Administrator's priority on environmental justice.

For Additional Information or Questions: If you have questions about the federal register notice, please submit your questions to maguire.kelly@epa.gov or eley.carlton@epa.gov

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Environmental Justice Comic Book





Mayah's Lot is a comic book about a young woman who inspires her community to fight a hazardous waste facility from opening in her neighborhood. The comic book and video are being shared in urban areas and are serving as teaching tools for environmental justice educational instruction.



The Orignal Comic was written by Rebecca Bratspies and Charlie La Greca, with art by Charlie La Greca. The animation was done by Norman Dillon of Rocket Dog Studios for Mother Mind Studios. The voice overs and recordings where done by Norman Dillon and Dan Crosier of Mother Mind Studios.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Matthew Tejada, Director, EPA Office of Environmental Justice

Matthew Tejada
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is turning to Matthew Tejada, a Houston activist, to lead the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice. As executive director of the Air Alliance Houston for almost six years (2007-2013), Tejada fought against pollution in poor neighborhoods surrounding Gulf Coast ports. Tejada is expected to begin his new role in early March.

University of Oxford, PhD, History,  20042006
 
University of Oxford, MPhil, Russian and East European Studies, 20022004
 
The University of Texas at Austin, BA, English, 19972000

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Journal CoverEnvironmental Justice

CALL FOR PAPERS


Environmental Justice is the essential peer-reviewed journal that explores the equitable treatment of all people, especially minority and low-income populations, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

They invite you and your colleagues to publish your most exciting new work in this important peer-reviewed journal dedicated to all aspects of the environmental justice movement. Submissions are encouraged on a rolling basis.
 
Environmental Justice welcomes papers on:
  • The adverse health effects on populations that are most subject to health and environmental hazards particularly those related to climate change, global warming, energy/power generation, food production and food access
  • The protection of socially, politically, and economically marginalized communities from environmental health impacts and inequitable environmental burden
  • The prevention and resolution of harmful policies, projects, and developments and issues of compliance and enforcement, activism, and corrective actions
  • Multidisciplinary analysis, debate, and discussion of the impact of past and present public health responses to environmental threats, current and future environmental and urban planning policies, land use decisions, legal responses, and geopolitics
  • Past and contemporary environmental compliance and enforcement, activism, and corrective actions, environmental politics, environmental health disparities, environmental sociology, and environmental history
  • The connection between environmental remediation, economic empowerment, relocation of facilities that pose hazardous risk to health, selection of new locations for industrial facilities, and the relocation of communities
  • The complicated issues inherent in remediation, funding, relocation of facilities that pose hazardous risk to health, and selection for new locations
They strongly encourage interdisciplinary papers that draw upon research from public health, engineering, history, philosophy and the social sciences. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc Publishers)
 
Visit their Instructions for Authors page for further information.
 
Contact:
 
Sylvia Hood Washington, PhD, MPH, MSEEditor-in-Chief, Environmental JusticePresident, Environmental Health Research Associates, LLC
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
Institute for Environmental Science & Policy
2121 W. Taylor Street, Room 525
Chicago, IL 60612-7260

sewhood@uic.edu
sewhood@ehra.us

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Liebert Environmental Justice Content Alerts

current journal cover

Environmental Justice

Table of Contents Alert

Volume: 6, Number: 1, February 2013

View this Issue Online
 

Special Section: Empowered Partnerships, Part OneChristopher Bacon, Guest EditorArticles


Introduction to Empowered Partnerships: Community-Based Participatory Action Research for Environmental Justice
 
Christopher Bacon, Saneta deVuono-Powell, Mary Louise Frampton, Tony LoPresti, and Camille Pannu

 
Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 1-8.

The Three Rs: How Community-Based Participatory Research Strengthens the Rigor, Relevance, and Reach of Science

Carolina L. Balazs and Rachel Morello-Frosch

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 9-16.

THE (Trade, Health, Environment) Impact Project: A Community-Based Participatory Research Environmental Justice Case Study

Analilia P. Garcia, Nina Wallerstein, Andrea Hricko, Jesse N. Marquez, Angelo Logan, Elina Green Nasser, and Meredith Minkler

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 17-26.

Where Is the “Public” in Public Universities?

Malo A. Hutson

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 27-31.

Book Review

Book Review of Beth Rose Middleton's Trust in the Land: New Directions in Tribal Conservation

Scott W. Williams

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 32-33.

Additional Original Article

Embedding Issues of Environmental Justice in the Mainstream Curriculum

Marjorie M. Nussbaum

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 34-40.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

EPA Policy Documents on Title VI

Two Draft EPA Policy Documents on Title VI Out for Public Comment


EPA has made improving its civil rights program a priority and recognizes that its enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) is an important tool in its efforts to protect against discrimination and ensure that recipients of EPA financial assistance do not discriminate in implementing programs and activities.


As part of this effort, EPA has posted two draft policy papers for review and comment. The first draft policy paper proposes to change the way EPA assesses "adversity" by having the Agency refrain from applying a "rebuttable presumption" in certain Title VI investigations. The second draft paper discusses EPA's thinking on how to expand the roles of complainants and recipients in the Title VI complaints process.


EPA also adopted a Title VI Term and Condition that will be included in domestic grant awards made on or after January 23, 2013.


The two draft policy papers and the new grants language are on OCR's website at http://www.epa.gov/ocr/title6policy.htm. EPA will take comments on the two draft policy papers until March 8, 2013.


For further information or questions please contact:
Helena Wooden-Aguilar
External Civil Rights - Assistant Director
US EPA - Office of Civil Rights
202-564-0792
Wooden-Aguilar.Helena@epa.gov

NEJAC Seeks Nominations For New Members

Seeking Nominations for Members to EPA's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). The NEJAC is a multi-stakeholder federal advisory committee that provides independent advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator about cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice.

This notice solicits nominations to fill at least six (6) new vacancies. To maintain the representation outlined by the charter, nominees will be selected to represent the following stakeholder work force sectors:

  • Academia (2 vacancies)
  • Grassroots Community-based organizations (1 vacancy)
  • Non-governmental/environmental organizations (1 vacancy)
  • State and local government agencies (1 vacancy)
  • Tribal governments and indigenous groups (1 vacancy)
Within these sectors, EPA is seeking nominees with knowledge and experience in community-driven initiatives, climate change adaptation, land use and equitable development, environmental sociology and statistical/data analysis, and environmental financing. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, the agency encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups. All nominations will be fully considered.

Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to this advisory committee. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominees should possess the following qualifications:
  • Strong understand of the issues facing communities with environmental justice concerns
  • Demonstrated experience with environmental justice and community sustainability issues at the national, state, or local level;
  • Excellent interpersonal and consensus-building skills
  • Willingness to commit time to the committee and demonstrated ability to work constructively and effectively on committees
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, and consensus-building skills
  • Ability to serve a 3-year appointment and to volunteer approximately 5 to 8 hours per month to support the Council's activities
How to Submit Nominations: Nominations can be submitted in electronic format (preferred) following the template available at . In order to fill anticipated vacancies by June 2013, nominations should be received by February 20, 2012.

Additional details regarding the nomination process and to learn more about NEJAC.

To be considered, all nomination packages should include:
  • Current contact information for the nominee, including the nominee's name, organization (and position within that organization), current business address, e-mail address, and daytime telephone number.
  • Brief Statement describing the nominee's interest in serving on the NEJAC
  • Resume and a short biography (no more than 2 paragraphs) describing the professional and educational qualifications of the nominee, including a list of relevant activities, and any current or previous service on advisory committees
  • Letter[s] of recommendation from a third party supporting the nomination. The letter(s) should describe how the nominee's experience and knowledge would bring value to the work of the NEJAC.
For further questions regarding this notice, please contact the EPA Office of Environmental Justice at (202) 564-2515.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

EPA Solicits Comments: National Enforcement Initiatives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting public comment and recommendations on National Enforcement Initiatives to be undertaken in fiscal years (FY) 2014-2016. EPA is inviting interested Environmental Justice (EJ) stakeholders to comment on extending the current six national enforcement initiatives (See Background) for the FY 2014-2016 cycle. EJ stakeholders are also invited to propose new sectors or other important strategic areas for consideration.

A conference call is scheduled for January 28, 2013, 2:30 - 3:30 pm (EST). If you would like to participate, the dial-in number is: 1-866-299-3188; Conf. ID: 0872138#. If you have questions about the call, please contact: Michele McKeever in EPA's Office of Compliance, at 202-564-3688.
In preparing comments, please keep in mind that EPA will select a limited number of National Enforcement Initiatives (NEIs) for the FY 2014-2016 time period. Please note that EPA selects National Enforcement Initiatives taking into account Agency resource constraints and funding levels as well as criteria such as environmental impact, significant noncompliance, and appropriate federal role.



Background

EPA protects people's health and safeguards communities by assuring compliance with the nation's environmental laws and by taking enforcement action when laws are violated. Every three years, EPA reviews the national enforcement initiatives to ensure that the Agency's civil and criminal enforcement resources and expertise are focused on the most serious pollution problems affecting communities. For the FY 2011-2013 time period, EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has six National Enforcement Initiatives. These initiatives are:
  • Municipal Infrastructure - addressing sewage discharges from combined sewer systems, sanitary sewer systems, and municipal separate storm sewer systems;
  • Mineral Processing - addressing hazardous waste at phosphoric acid facilities and high risk mineral processing sites;
  • New Source Review - controlling emissions from coal fired utility sector, cement plants, glass plants, and acid production plants;
  • Air Toxics - addressing toxic emissions from high risk facilities by examining leak detection and repair (LDAR), flares, and excess emission sources;
  • Energy Extraction - addressing land-based natural gas extraction facilities, including corporate-wide evaluations; and
  • Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations - addressing animal waste discharges from large animal feeding facilities.
For more information on the current initiatives, full descriptions can be found on the EPA website.
For the FY 2014-2016 time period, EPA is considering retaining the current National Enforcement Initiatives. However, if a compelling non-compliance problem were identified that was of similar significance to the existing NEIs, then EPA could focus a national initiative on another sector or strategic area. As EPA begins to identify FY 2014-2016 National Enforcement Initiatives, the Agency is inviting input and information on three issues:
  • whether to extend the current six National Enforcement Initiatives for the 2014-2016 cycle;
  • whether new sectors or strategic areas are appropriate for consideration; and
  • whether current or new significant environmental problems in Indian country or affecting Indian country exist that are appropriate for consideration.
EPA will incorporate the selected National Enforcement Initiatives into the Final FY 2014 National Program Manager (NPM) Guidance. The Guidance is scheduled to be finalized in late April 2013. (EPA)

Information on the NPM Guidance.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference


To expand the conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program will be hosting a Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference.

The conference will be held in Biloxi, MS, March 1-2, 2013, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.

The theme of the conference is: Environmental Justice: Systems, Symptoms, and Solutions.

Its purpose is to provide a forum for representatives from varying sectors to engage in dialogue and action regarding injustices plaguing vulnerable and underserved communities. To obtain additional information regarding the conference, please visit the EPA website and click on Register for the Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference.



Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Poster Presentation Submission

Anyone involved in the field of Environmental Justice, including community leaders, students, researchers, business/industry professionals, government agency employees, healthcare professionals, K-12 educators, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit posters for presentation. Organized, well-delivered presentations covering a variety of EJ Gulf topics of practical value to attendees' are desired. Reviewers look for clear descriptions of how these projects are helping people of the Gulf, especially EJ communities. Projects can range from restoration projects in at-risk communities to student led projects that are raising awareness about coastal issues affecting EJ communities. The poster submission entry form.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Connecticut College EJ Conference In April

SAVE THE DATES!
April 19 - 20, 2013
The Quest for Global Environmental Justice in an Increasingly Inequitable World
Join the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment at Connecticut College for our 2013
Elizabeth Babbott Conant & Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Conference.
For more information, please email them