EJ 2020 Action Agenda

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comment on the draft EJ 2020 Action Agenda (EJ 2020) framework, the EPA's next overarching strategic plan for environmental justice. 

EJ 2020 is a strategy to advance environmental justice through EPA’s programs, policies and activities, and will support the cross-agency strategy on making a visible difference in environmentally overburdened, underserved, and economically-distressed communities. 

Stakeholders and the general public can review the framework and submit comments, starting today through June 15, 2015, by visiting www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/ej2020 

The goals of EJ 2020 are to:

1.       Deepen environmental justice practice within EPA programs to improve the health and environment of overburdened communities;

2.       Collaborate with partners to expand our impact within communities; and

3.       Demonstrate progress on outcomes that matter to communities. 

Under Plan EJ 2014, EPA laid a foundation for integrating environmental justice into all its programs, including rule-writing, permitting, enforcement, science and law. Plan EJ 2014 helped to build environmental justice into the agency’s regulatory practice, revitalized environmental justice planning across the federal family, and initiated the development of a cross-cutting Environmental Justice Research Roadmap. To learn more about the accomplishments under Plan EJ 2014, visit http://epa.gov/environmentaljustice/plan-ej/index.html

During the public comment period for EJ 2020, EPA will conduct informational and dialogue sessions with partners and stakeholder groups. Audiences are encouraged to participate in these sessions and request additional sessions if needed. For more information about EJ 2020, and to view a schedule of these sessions, visithttp://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/ej2020/. 

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA’s goal is to provide an environment where all people enjoy equal access to the environmental decision-making process to maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work. EPA’s environmental justice work is an outgrowth of Executive Order 12898, signed by President Clinton in 1994, that requires federal agencies to address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs on minority and low-income populations.

Contact Information: Jennifer Colaizzi, colaizzi.jennifer@epa.gov, (202) 564-7776; En español: Lina Younes, younes.lina@epa.gov, (202) 564-9924

For more information about EPA’s environmental justice work, visit: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/

NEJAC Earth Day Teleconference

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Public Teleconference Meeting

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Public Teleconference Meeting Date and Time: 

• Wednesday, April 22, 2015
• 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• Public comment is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

The primary topics of discussion will be:

• Refinery Rule
• Clean Power Rule
• Title VI

Pre-registration is required:

• Registration closes at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Monday, April 20, 2015
• Deadline for public comment period sign-up, is 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Monday, April 20, 2015
• You can pre-register at http://nejac-teleconference-april2015.eventbrite.com

When registering:

• Please provide your name, organization, city and state, email address, and telephone number for follow up
• Please also state whether you would like to be put on the list to provide public comment, and whether you are submitting written comments before the Monday, April 20, 2015, deadline
• Non-English speaking attendees wishing to arrange for a foreign language interpreter may also make appropriate arrangements using the email address or telephone/fax number

Public Comment:

• Members of the public who wish to provide public comment must pre-register by 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Monday, April 20, 2015
• Individuals or groups making remarks during the public comment period will be limited to seven minutes
• To accommodate the number of people who wish to address the NEJAC, only one representative of a particular community, organization, or group will be allowed to speak
• Written comments can also be submitted for the record
• The suggested format for individuals providing public comments is as follows: name of speaker; name of organization/community; city and state; and email address; brief description of the concern, and what you want the NEJAC to advise EPA to do
• Written comments received by 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time on Monday, April 20, 2015, will be included in the materials distributed to the NEJAC prior to the teleconference
• Written comments received after that time will be provided to the NEJAC as time allows
• All written comments should be sent to Jasmin Muriel, EPA, via email at muriel.jasmin@epa.gov. Read the NEJAC public comment guidelines

For More Information: Questions or correspondence concerning the teleconference meeting should be directed to Jasmin Muriel by email at muriel.jasmin@epa.gov or telephone at 202-564-4287. Information about the NEJAC is available at: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac. 

EPA Posts New Environmental Education Grant Opportunity

The second Request for Proposals (RFP) under the 2014-2015 Environmental Education (EE) Grants Program, called the EE Local Grants RFP, is now open. EPA seeks grant proposals to support locally-focused environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship. Successful applicants will submit projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques.

The goal of these projects is to develop informed, knowledgeable citizens, and provide them with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. EPA expects to award three grants from each of EPA's 10 Regional Offices, for a total of approximately 30 grants nationwide. Applications are due March 6, 2015.

Read the RFP and learn how to apply here: http://go.usa.gov/MsN4.

A webinar specific to the EE Local Grants RFP will be scheduled for a later date.

Proposals under the first RFP, called the EE Model Grants RFP, will be accepted through February 2, 2015.  (EPA)

EPA Smog Standards Hearings

EPA to Hold Public Hearings in California, Texas and Washington, D.C. on Proposed Smog Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three public hearings on the proposed updates to the national air quality standards for ground-level ozone, also known as smog. EPA has proposed to strengthen the standards to a level within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion to better protect Americans' health and the environment, while taking comment on a level down to 60 ppb. The agency estimates that the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will significantly outweigh the costs, preventing asthma attacks, heart attacks, missed school days and premature deaths, among other health effects.

WHAT: Public hearings on proposed updates to national air quality standards for ozone
WHEN: Jan. 29 and Feb. 2, 2015. Each hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. local time
WHERE:

• Jan. 29: Arlington, Texas (Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, Arlington, Texas, 76010)
• Jan. 29: Washington. D.C. (U.S. EPA, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 1153, Washington, D.C. 20460)
• Feb. 2: Sacramento, Calif. (California Air Resources Board, Byron Sher Auditorium, 1001 "I" Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Note: People attending the hearings in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento will be required to show valid photo identification to enter the buildings. In Washington, an additional form of ID may be required for people with driver's licenses issued by certain states. See http://www.epa.gov/glo/hearings.html for more information about the REAL ID Act.

The public may register to speak at a specific time at a hearing by contacting Eloise Shepherd at 919-541-5507 or shepherd.eloise@epa.gov. People may also register in person on the day of the hearing. EPA will accept written comments on the proposed standards until March 17, 2015. The agency will issue a final rule by Oct. 1, 2015.  (EPA)

For more information about the proposal: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/12/17/2014-28674/national-ambient-air-quality-standards-for-ozone

For instructions about submitting written comments: http://www.epa.gov/glo/how-to-comment.html