Wednesday, February 26, 2014

EPA Ceremony on EJ Executive Order 20th Anniversary

There was an excellent program at EPA Headquarters today in the Rachel Carson Green Room that celebrated the 20th anniversay of the signing of the Presidential Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice:  "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations."   President Bill Clinton signed the order on February 11th, 2014.



Congressman John Lewis was recognized for his groundbreaking work in the area of environmental justice.  He and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy gave excellent speeches to the packed room.



The event recognized past environmental justice leaders, to focus on the next generation.  The event highlighted how America can address many of the environmental justice challenges over the next 20 years.


The Executive Order directs federal agencies to make environmental justice part of their missions by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority, low-income populations. The Order is intended to promote nondiscrimination in federal programs substantially affecting human health and the environment. The Order also provides minority and low-income communities access to public information and an opportunity to participate in matters relating to human health or the environment. The Presidential Memorandum accompanying the Order underscores certain provisions of existing law that can help ensure that all communities and people across this nation live in a safe and healthy environment.

On February 10th, 2014, President Obama released a proclamation acknowledging the anniversary of the executive order. The proclamation is much more than a purely symbolic gesture. It is a very visible statement from the White House firmly re-committing this Administration's dedication to making sure that we, "live up to the promise that here in America, no matter who you are or where you come from, you can pursue your dreams in a safe and just environment."  (EPA)

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Presidential Proclamation -- 20th Anniversary of Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice


20TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 12898
ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


A PROCLAMATION

Two decades ago, President William J. Clinton directed the Federal Government to tackle a long-overlooked problem. Low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and tribal areas disproportionately bore environmental burdens like contamination from industrial plants or landfills and indoor air pollution from poor housing conditions. These hazards worsen health disparities and reduce opportunity for residents -- children who miss school due to complications of asthma, adults who struggle with medical bills. Executive Order 12898 affirmed every American's right to breathe freely, drink clean water, and live on uncontaminated land. Today, as America marks 20 years of action, we renew our commitment to environmental justice for all.

Because we all deserve the chance to live, learn, and work in healthy communities, my Administration is fighting to restore environments in our country's hardest-hit places. After over a decade of inaction, we reconvened an Environmental Justice Interagency Working Group and invited more than 100 environmental justice leaders to a White House forum. Alongside tribal governments, we are working to reduce pollution on their lands. And to build a healthier environment for every American, we established the first-ever national limits for mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants.

While the past two decades have seen great progress, much work remains. In the years to come, we will continue to work with States, tribes, and local leaders to identify, aid, and empower areas most strained by pollution. By effectively implementing environmental laws, we can improve quality of life and expand economic opportunity in overburdened communities. And recognizing these same communities may suffer disproportionately due to climate change, we must cut carbon emissions, develop more homegrown clean energy, and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate that we are already feeling across our country.

As we mark this day, we recall the activists who took on environmental challenges long before the Federal Government acknowledged their needs. We remember how Americans -- young and old, on college campuses and in courtrooms, in our neighborhoods and through our places of worship -- called on a Nation to pursue clean air, water, and land for all people. On this anniversary, let us move forward with the same unity, energy, and passion to live up to the promise that here in America, no matter who you are or where you come from, you can pursue your dreams in a safe and just environment.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 11, 2014, as the 20th Anniversary of Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with programs and activities that promote environmental justice and advance a healthy, sustainable future.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

 

 
February 11, 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of President Clinton's
signing of Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations." EPA's Administrator, Gina McCarthey, has declared
February 2014 as Environmental Justice Month at EPA, to
highlighting the agency's progress while also launching a
yearlong effort to focus our environmental justice leadership
and reaffirm our commitment to do even more. Throughout
the year, tune in to EPA.gov to find out more about the great
events that are going on across the country to commemorate
this historic milestone, and to find out about the exciting
developments going on in EPA and across the government
to advance environmental justice.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Notice: New York City Council Air Quality EJ Hearing

 
The New York City Council
Committee on Environmental Protection

Councilmember donovan richards, Chairman


 
REPORT of the Infrasturcture Division

Robert Newman, legislative director

TO:                              Invited Guests

FROM:                       Samara Swanston, Counsel to the

                                    Environmental Protection Committee
 

Re:      Air quality Impacts and ways to measure and address them in NYC environmental justice communities

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1:p.m.

Location: 250 Broadway, 16th FL Committee Room

We would very much appreciate an opportunity to hear your ideas and perspectives on the above Oversight Hearing topic.

Please testify in person and it will be real time live streamed on Time Warner Channel 74 or submit comments in writing.

Liebert Environmental Justice Journal December Edition

Environmental Justice

Table of Contents Alert

Volume: 6, Number: 6, December 2013

View this Issue Online
 

Original Articles

 
Stories, Science, and Power in Policy Change: Environmental Health, Community-Based Research, and Community Organizing in a U.S.-Mexico Border Colonia

Kathleen Staudt, Guadalupe Márquez-Velarde, and Mosi Dane'el

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 2013: 191-199.

Nocturnal Convenience: The Problem of Securing Universal Sanitation Access in Alabama's Black Belt

Maxwell Izenberg, Olivia Johns-Yost, Pauline D. Johnson, and Joe Brown

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 2013: 200-205.

“But You Never Know in These Kind of Things”: Contingent Factors for Environmental Justice at the Beare Wetland, Scarborough, Canada

Lisa Sharma-Wallace

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 2013: 206-212.

Environmental Justice and the Demographic Threshold: Are Benefits Reaching Communities at Risk?

Tonya Lewis and Sean Bennett

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 2013: 213-218.

Assessment of Spatial Disparities in the Burden of Underground Storage Tanks in Maryland (2001–2011)

Sacoby Wilson, Chengsheng Jiang, Kristen Burwell, Rianna Murray, Laura Dalemarre, Charles Naney, and Hongmei Zhang

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 2013: 219-225.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Environmental Justice Month - February

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Declares February 2014 Environmental Justice Month


Check out Administrator Gina McCarthy's latest blog post and video about EJ Month and the 20th anniversary of Executive Order 12898.


February 11, 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of President Clinton's signing of Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations." We've accomplished a lot over the past two decades - not only EPA, but all federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, community leaders, and partners in academia and business.

That's why EPA Administrator McCarthy has declared February 2014 as Environmental Justice Month at EPA, highlighting our progress while also launching a yearlong effort to focus our environmental justice leadership and reaffirm our commitment to do even more. Throughout 2014, EPA will be highlighting events occurring around the country. (EPA)

For more information on how EPA and others are celebrating.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Public Meeting

Advance Registration closes February 5th

The next face-to-face meeting of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) will be held at the US EPA, Region 8 building, located at 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129, on February 11-12, 2014. The meeting will include a public comment period.

Teleconference: If you will not be able to attend in person but would like to participate in the conference, teleconference services will be available. You are encouraged to pre-register for the teleconference so that the facility will be able to provide the level of service to accommodate the attendees.
Meeting Registration: Registration is required for everyone (including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and other federal employees). Pre-registration closes at Noon, Mountain Time, on Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Because this NEJAC meeting will be held in a government space, we strongly encourage you to register early. 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:
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.

Public Comment Sign-Up: Members of the public who wish to speak during the Public Comment period should pre-register by Noon, Mountain Time, on Wednesday, February 5, 2014. 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, Mountain Time, on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 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 muriel.jasmin@epa.gov.

For Furthor Information: Questions or correspondence concerning the teleconference meeting should be directed to Jasmin Muriel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by mail at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (MC2201A), Washington, DC 20460; by telephone at 202-564-4287; via email at muriel.jasmin@epa.gov; or by fax at 202-564-1624. Additional information about the NEJAC.  (EPA)