EPA Call For Applications: Smart Growth 2009

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the eighth annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public-sector or private sector applicants that have used the principles of smart growth to create better places. Private-sector applicants are encouraged to submit applications for projects that demonstrate a significant public-private partnership. Smart growth development serves the economy, the community, and the environment.

Smart growth approaches to development create clear environmental benefits, including improved air and water quality, preservation of critical habitat and open space, and more cleanup and re-use of brownfield sites. This year, applications will be accepted in five categories:

· Built Projects

· Policies and Regulations

· Smart Growth and Green Building

· Smart Growth Streets

· Overall Excellence in Smart Growth

Interested parties are encouraged to submit applications for smart growth activities that have shown significant activity between April 23,2004, and April 23, 2009. Successful applicants will have incorporated the principles of smart growth to create places that respect community culture and the environment, foster economic development, and enhance quality of life and public health.

This year, the public sector winners will receive support for further implementing smart growth strategies in their communities. In addition, public sector winners will receive one complementary registration to the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in 2010. Applications are due on April 23, 2009. Up to five winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC in December 2009. For more details about the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement (including an application packet)

DOE Ofc of Legacy Mgmt Announces 3rd EJ Conference

February 19, 2009

From the Office of Legacy Management:

The Third Annual State of Environmental Justice in America Conference will convene May 27–29, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Leaders from various sectors will engage in three days of free exchange of new ideas and new approaches to environmental justice. This interactive training session will feature voices of experience, research, discussions, and thought-provoking dialogue. The program format will feature needs and challenges of communities, governments, municipalities, tribes, faith-based organizations, and others with an interest in environmental matters and environmental justice. Conference participants will realize informative and productive resources that can support their individual program goals and objectives.

We have invited all members of the Obama administration and Congress who have environmental justice as a portion of their responsibilities, and expect a number of them to participate in the conference.Our specific areas of interest this year are climate change, community benefits and youth involvement. We expect to explore the challenges facing socioeconomically vulnerable communities (including people of color, low-income neighborhoods, and tribal communities) and make recommendations for building resilience to the impactsof climate change. We expect to explore various aspects of environmental activities including supplemental environmental projects and community benefit agreements to discuss how socioeconomically vulnerable communities can use these tools to the greatest degree possible.

We expect to review various youth environmental activities and examine means to increase opportunities for youth involvement to greater degrees and broader venues. All in all, this conference holds great promise for discussion, debate andgrowth in environmental justice.We invite your participation in the conference. Opportunities still exist for new andinnovative ideas and approaches. This conference presents a great opportunity to freely discuss environmental justice concepts with members of Congress and the Obama administration.

Additional conference information or

Contact the Conference Coordinator, John Rosenthall

Sincerely,

David W. Geiser
Deputy Director
Office of Legacy Management

Environmental Justice at EPA - Transition Paper

The Environmetnal Justice Executive Steering Committee issued the "Environmental Justice at EPA- Transition Paper," on January 23, 2009.

EPA’s EJ program seeks to fully mobilize internal and external resources (programmatic, financial, statutory, and regulatory) to:

Achieve Measurable Environmental and/or Public Health Results in Communities with Greatest Need

Every EPA region and program office has committed to integrate EJ into its daily work through biennial “EJ Action Plans.” Support is needed to increase the Agency’s EJ integration efforts by:

• Ensuring significant measurable EJ results from every program and regional office;

• Affirming EJ program review efforts and direct all offices to continue them;

• Overcoming scientific and other barriers to incorporating EJ in decisionmaking; and

• More consistently incorporating EJ when EPA sets priorities, allocates resources, targets activities, and measures progress.

Climate Change and Green Economy

EJ should align its environmental goals (e.g., reducing greenhousegas and particulate emissions) with social and economic goals (e.g.,eliminating health disparities and creating jobs through the new green economy). EPA should address the disproportionate impacts of climate change and ensure that environmentally and economically distressed communities benefit from the building of a green economy. For example, EPA can:

• Develop partnerships with communities and states to showcase effective strategies, involving multiple agencies; governments, and stakeholders, to improve the environment, public health, andeconomies of disadvantaged communities, with a particular focus on creating green jobs; and

• Ensure EJ considerations are reflected when EPA develops climate change policies and regulations.

Action in the First 100 days:

Promote the creation of green jobs in economically distressed communities. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from constructing accessible mass transit; making homes, public buildings, and vehicles more energy efficient; implementing renewable energy projects; and other “green”infrastructure improvements.

Action in the First 100 days:

Issue a clear statement of the new Administration’s explicit, unambiguous and formal commitment to EJ. Encourage fulluse of EPA’s existing statutory and regulatory authorities to address disproportionate and cumulative impacts in areas of EJ concerns. Also commit to explore new scientific research and regulatory or statutory changes that are needed to better address these impacts of climate change and ensure that environmentally and economically distressed communities benefit from the building of a green economy. For example, EPA can:

• Develop partnerships with communities and states to showcase effective strategies, involving multiple agencies; governments, and stakeholders, to improve the environment, public health, and economies of disadvantaged communities, with a particular focus on creating green jobs; and
• Ensure EJ considerations are reflected when EPA develops climate change policies and regulations. Geographic InitiativesEPA should use its resources and leverage funding from otheragencies to increase focus on disadvantaged communities that aresuffering the worst environmental burdens. These EJ “Showcase Communities” would provide replicable examples to create green jobs, rebuild infrastructure, reduce environmental and public health problems, and revitalize communities.

EPA Administrator Jackson Speaks At NY EJ Conference

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson spoke at the West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT) environmental justice conference in New York on Friday. Administrator Jackson gave her speech at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus in Manhattan.

Ms. Jackson said:

“I wanted this to be my first appearance because I’m an African-American woman and an environmentalist and we have similar backgrounds. This was very meaningful to me.”

Lisa Jackson was confirmed exactely one week ago by the U.S. Senate. A large audience gave her a standing ovation at Fordham.

(The New York Times, 1/30/09)

AAEA Establishes Robert J. Knox Research Institute

The Robert J. Knox Research Institute (RJK) has been established as a project of the African American Environmentalist Association to continue the work that was diligently pursued by its namesake. The RJK Research Institute will publish research papers and other documents that address issues of faith and environmental justice. Mr. Knox was passionate about environmental justice issues and he was very deliberate in working on faith-based initiatives during his career. We are combining his twin interests and hope that researchers will publish thought provoking papers that will be published in a tome entitled "Faith and Environmental Justice."Bob Knox was a friend and inspiration to AAEA as he was to many other institutions and people all over the country.

Mr. Knox was the consummate professional while serving as Associate Director of the Office of Environmental Justice at the Headquarters of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He was the EPA representative at the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conferences.Mr. Knox made everyone feel welcome at EPA and although he will be missed, we have established the RJK Research Institute to provide a vehicle to complement his unique insights and intelligence. Bob did not pursue the spotlight or even credit for his many accomplishments, but he was a dynamic force and a true hero. As a member of AAEA, Bob will always serve as an example for all of our members, staff and volunteers. Bob may not be with us anymore, but his spirit will live on through the research others will submit to the institute for publication.

Papers will be published and distributed for others to read. If you would like to submit a paper on Faith and Environmental Justice, please contact us by clicking on the link below:

The Robert J. Knox Research Institute

Faith & Environmental Justice

Submit Paper

Special thank you to Mr. Knox's widow, Betty Knox for granting AAEA permission to establish the Robert J. Knox Research Institute.

Kent Benjamin To Be Associate Director of EPA OEJ

Beginning in January 2009, EPA's Kent Benjamin will be moving permanently to the Office of Environmental Justice to serve as the Associate Director.

EPA OEJ Director Requests All Federal Agencies To Support 2009 EJ Conference

December 3, 2008

MEMORANDUM,

To: Members, Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG)

From: Charles Lee, Director /Signed
USEPA, Office of Environmental Justice

Subject: Federal Agency Support and Participation in the State of Environmental Justice in America 2009 Conference

The second annual State of Environmental Justice (EJ) in America Conference (Conference), held on May 21-24, 2008, at Howard University, was a resounding success. More than 300 people, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) senior management, participated in the Conference. I would like to recognize and thank the managers and staffs of the sponsoring agencies: Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, and our sister offices at the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Third Annual State of Environmental Justice in America Conference 2009 is fast approaching. The planning stages are underway for the Conference, which is scheduled for May 28-29, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, VA. EPA and DOE are planning to enter into co-sponsorship agreements with EJ Conference, Inc., a non-profit organization that represents non-federal stakeholders for the conference. EJ Conference, Inc. hosted the 2008 conference.

As you know, the IWG, and its Federal agency members, have been a major supporter of the Conference. The success of the two previous EJ in America Conferences can be attributed, in large part, to the support of Federal agencies. Financial support from the agencies helped pay for travel scholarships for community-based organization, the conference facilities, and contractor support.

With so much regional and national interest in EJ, we anticipate, and see a need for, additional Federal agency support for the 2009 Conference. We expect more community organizations to want to participate, in order to identify opportunities for collaboration with Federal agencies, particularly during the Federal agencies Listening Sessions planned for the Conference.

As a result, we ask that each department or agency consider an early commitment to support and participate in the 2009 Conference. This support may take the form of financial assistance to EJ Conference, Inc. If your agency has authority to provide funding to EJ Conference, Inc, and decides to do so, please contact John Rosenthall, President of EJ Conference, Inc. at (703) 624-2257 or email John Rosenthal.

If your agency has questions about other forms of Federal support please contact either Melinda Downing (, DOE EJ Program Manager, (202) 586-7703, or Danny Gogal, IWG Program Manager (202) 564-2576 for additional information.

1. Executive Order 12898 established the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to help coordinate environmental justice planning among agencies. The mission of this group includes fostering collaborative projects among agencies and environmental justice communities.

Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Campaign against Climate Change presents:

NATIONAL MARCH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE 2008

Date: Saturday 6th December 2008

Time: 12 - 4pm

Start Venue: Grosvenor Square, London, UK

Speakers at the march will include: George Monbiot (Honorary President, Campaign against Climate Change); Michael Meacher MP(ex-environment minister); Mark Dowd (Operation Noah) Muzammal Hussain (London Islamic Network for the Environment - LINE) Nick Clegg MP (leader, Liberal Democrat Party), Caroline Lucas MEP (leader, Green party) and others.

This march is expected to draw thousands and is part of a series of demonstrations taking place throughout the world. The March on Parliament for the Climate marks the Saturday midway through the UN Climate Talks in Poznan, Poland. We make our demands on the UK government, in solidarity with the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities that will suffer worst and most immediately from climate change, caused overwhelmingly by the rich long-industrialised countries. For more information please visit: http://www.campaigncc.org/

USDA Rural Development Staff EJ Guidance

The purpose of the USDA Rural Development Administrative Notice (AN) is to clarify the procedures used in complying with Executive Order (EO) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, issued February 11, 1994, RD Instruction 7 CFR Part 1940-G and RUS 7 CFR Part 1794. This AN also clarifies the relationship and use of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in implementing EO 12898.

FULL DOCUMENT

Environmental Justice (EJ) principles will be incorporated into Rural Development programs, activities, and services through existing requirements, primarily NEPA and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Rural Development, to the greatest extent practicable, will consider environmental justice principles in its decision-making using its existing NEPA environmental review and Civil Rights Impact Analysis processes.

It is Rural Development policy to actively administer and monitor its decision-making process to ensure that nondiscrimination is an integral part of its programs, activities, and services. Rural Development programs, activities, and services that have the potential for a disproportionately high and adverse effect on human health or the environment should include explicit consideration of their effects on minority and low-income populations. Procedures are necessary to provide meaningful opportunities for public involvement by members of minority and low-income populations during the development of environmental review documents that include identification of potential effects, alternatives (if necessary), and mitigation measures to reduce any disproportionate effect on minority and low-income populations.

Poor In Toronto, Canada Disproportionately Polluted

A two-year research project by Toronto-based PollutionWatch shows that many of Toronto's poorest residents live near industries that emit the highest levels of toxic chemicals and pollutants into the air. The study, "An Examination of Pollution and Poverty in the Great Lakes Basin," is one of the most comprehensive examinations ever of an issue that has largely gone unnoticed in Canada.

Low-income families, many already facing diminished health from stress, bad nutrition, diabetes and poor dental care, are placed at further risk because they breathe air contaminated with pollutants suspected of causing cancer and reproductive disorders, say the authors of the report.
(The Star.com)

AB 32 EJ Advisory Committee Meeting December 2

Click on the public meeting agenda for the AB 32 Environmental Justice
Advisory Committee (EJAC).

The meeting will be held on December 2, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. (PDT) at the:

Ontario Convention Center
2000 E.
Convention Center Way
Ontario, California

Directions to the Ontario Convention Center

This meeting will be webcast and can be viewed the day of the
meeting.

They recommend that you do not run other programs while viewing the
webcast, as it may interrupt or lower the quality of the signal.

For further information, please contact Johnnie Raymond at (916)
445-8279.

EPA Environmental Justice Achievement Awards

Winners of EPA's first Environmental Achievement Awards include projects that empowered residents to clean up New Orleans East for a safe return after Hurricane Katrina and developed a tool to target high-risk homes with lead contamination in Durham, N.C.

Twelve award recipients include community-based organizations, universities, and state and local governments from nine states. These organizations are making a positive impact in their communities by promoting a clean and healthy environment. The awards recognize organizations for their distinguished accomplishments in addressing environmental justice issues. EPA received dozens of nominations from across the United States. More information.

The following organizations received awards:

1. Anahola Homesteaders Council (Anahola, Kauai, Hawaii)

2. Center for Environmental and Economic Justice (Biloxi, Miss.)

3. Citizens for Environmental Justice (Savannah, Ga.)

4. Communities for a Better Environment (Huntington Park,Calif.)

5. Dillard University, Deep South Center for EnvironmentalJustice (New Orleans)

6. Duke University, Children's Environmental Health Initiative(Durham, N.C.)

7. Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, S.C.)

8. Negocio Verde Environmental Justice Task Force (County of SanDiego, Calif.)

9. New Mexico Environment Department (Santa Fe, N.M.)

10. Safer Pest Control Project (Chicago)

11. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (Columbia, S.C.)

12. West End Revitalization Association (Mebane, N.C.)

Assistance for Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers

The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Request for Applications has been released. Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants ProgramThe Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program (OASDFR) provides funds to organizations to conduct outreach and technical assistance to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches and to participate in agricultural programs.

The OASDFR will support a wide range of outreach and assistance activities in farm management, financial management, marketing, application and bidding procedures, and other areas. The primary purpose of the OASDFR is to deliver outreach and technical assistance, to assure opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to successfully acquire, own, operate, and retain farms and ranches; and assure equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs. More informaton: OASDFR

Who Is Eligible to Apply * 1862 Land-Grant Institutions * 1890 Land-Grant Institutions * 1994 Land-Grant Institutions * Hispanic-Serving Institutions * Native American Tribal Govts (Federally Recognized) * Native American Tribal Orgs, not Federally recognized Tribal Governments * Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed * Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed * Other or Additional Information (See below) * State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed.

More Information on Eligibility Postsecondary educational institutions and community-based organizations, networks, or coalitions of community-based organizations that meet certain criteria. Organizations that received funding under this section before Jan. 1, 1996 are also eligible. IMPORTANT! See RFA for specific eligibility requirements.

Website

Contact Information: Dionne Toombs, Ph.D. National Program Leader Community Food and Nutrition Competitive Programs, CSREES, USDA Regular Mail (allow a minimum of 2 weeks for delivery):Mail Stop 22411400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-2241

Express Mail (for time sensitive information, use overnight delivery service):Waterfront Centre, Room 2416800 9th St., SW Washington, DC 20024 Telephone: 202-401-2138Fax: 202-401-6488 Email

CSREES' mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well being, and communities.

Also: Geraldine Herring Special Outreach Program Manager USDA Office of Outreach Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

In Memoriam: Robert J. Knox

A Legend and Giant at EPA

Robert J. Knox was a founding Deputy Director and former Acting Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice(OEJ). Mr. Knox was an engineer by training and he began his career in Region 4 as a manpower development specialist working on water related issues. He moved to Region 2 where he led manpower and training programs.

In the early 1980s he served as the Director of the Office of Civil Rights. Thereafter, he was the Hazardous Waste Ombudsman for OSWER. When the Office of Environmental Justice was formed in 1992, he served as the founding Deputy Office Director with Dr. Clarice Gaylord, then OEJ Director. Bob spent his last 12 years in EPA working on community engagement activities. Bob retired from EPA in December 2004. In his retirement, he began taking coursework toward a masters degree from Howard University's School of Divinity. He was also a former deacon at the Gethsemane Baptist Church.

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meeting

The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) will meet in October.

Purpose: Discussions about differential impacts of climate change, environmental justice best practices, goods movement impacts on air quality, and other topics.

o Date: Tuesday, October 21 through Thursday, 23, 2008.

o Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day unless noted otherwise

o Public comment session:

+ Wednesday, October 22, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
+ Commenters must sign-up in advance or on-site to give comment
+ Comments limited to five minutes
+ Written comments also are encouraged

o Please pre-register

# Advance registration closes October 13. On- site registration starts October 21
# Contact: Ms. Julianne Pardi, ICF International
* Phone: (781) 676-4010 * Fax: (781) 676-4005
* Email: jpa@icfi.com

Environmental Justice and DNA in Maryland

The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, Maryland NAACP, ACLU and the State Public Defenders Office are accusing Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's administration of reneging on safeguards in a new law that expands police powers to collect DNA samples from crime suspects. The conflict arises out of whether DNA samples are taken from any arrested suspect or from those formally charged for specific violent crimes. The critics say they specifically negotiated exclusion of general arrect suspects with Governor O'Malley before supporting the legislation. Now they feel betrayed. There is also concern about disposing of DNA once an arrested person is cleared. The critics want the samples expunged if charges are dropped or a suspect is cleared. The critics also believe the regulations do not give clear instructions on how to make sure the samples are removed from federal databases.

Specifically, the conflict focuses on a word because the regulations allow police to take a sample from an "arrestee," which they interpret as someone being booked but not charged. But the governor's office calls an "arrestee" a person against whom a written accusation of a crime has been made and believe it is at that point the law allows police to take a DNA sample. The regulations were issued last month and now police officers and state prosecutors are being trained to implement the new regulation. The law takes effect in January.

Although DNA testing is a very good crime-fighting tool that has also proven effective in exonerating innocent people, it seems clear that generally collecting samples from suspects when they are arrested is too intrusive and violates the civil liberties of those who are exonerated. The state's previous policy was to take samples for its database after convictions. The black caucus has called for legislative hearings on the regulations and vowed to press the administration to change them. (The Washington Post, 9/4/08)

National Black Chamber Says EJ Limits Minority Progress

Harry Alford, left, is president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and he recently wrote an article in The Washington Informer entitled, "Environmental Justice: The New "White Man's Burden," where he states:

"Environmental justice is the biggest sham in modern day political leadership. It addresses "minority communities" and presents itself as the protector of them. Never mind about civil rights aka economic development, job creation and proactive policy. Environmental Justice seeks to limit progress in minority communities via inertia through excess regulation, bureaucracy and adverse policy in regards to infrastructure and economic progress. It acts like it is there to protect us from evil corporate America and young and new Black entrepreneurs. It demands to stop all industrial activity and progress that might cause another economic shift in the demographics of our communities."

Alford believes that environmental justice legislation in Congress will erode civil rights enforcement by shifting the focus from the Justice Department to the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislation was introduced by Representative Hilda Solis (H.R. 1103) and by Senators Dick Durbin (S. 642) and Hillary Clinton (S. 2549) and will codify the original Clinton Exectuve Order 12898 establishing environmental justice policies in the Executive Branch. Alford continues:

"This would put the Justice Department's responsibilities for civil rights enforcement further into the hole. It would shift to the Environmental Protection Agency. From the US Deparment of Justice (the laws of the land) to the EPA, a quasi agency for the environment and not civil rights, this is so counter to real civil rights enforcement. Our economic future will whither on the vine. Once again, they will order the Congressional Black Caucus to step aside and the Civil Rights Community to turn a blind eye and accept federal grants ("30 pieces of silver" ala Judas). The diversion is creating a formidable infrastructure if we allow this to go on. It's time for new leadership and a return to the tried and proven Civil Rights Act enforcement."

Dana Alston: Remembering An Environmental Justice Heroine

The environmental justice movement will never be the same without Dana Alston, right. This powerful activist spoke truth to power and worked tirelessly for social and environmental justice. Dana was 47 years old when she died in 1999.

Dana Alston received a Bannerman Fellowship in 1992 in recognition of her leadership in the development of the environmental justice movement. The Bannerman Fellowship Program was founded in 1987 on the belief that the most effective approach to achieving progressive social change is by organizing low-income people at the grassroots level. In 2002, the Fellowship Program was renamed the Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Program in honor of Dana Alston. Dana died on August 7, 1999 at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Dana was a native of New York and lived in Washington, D.C. She was in San Francisco for treatment of kidney disease and consequences of a stroke when she died. Her beloved son, Khalil Alston-Cobb, resides in Washington, D.C.

Senator James Inhofe Offers Energy Justice Resolution

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, offered a Sense of the Senate resolution on Energy Justice during today’s Full Committee Business Meeting. The resolution, which was voted down by Democrats, urged that any “environmental justice policies” should only be considered in “the context of energy justice policies.”

Senator Inhofe’s Sense of the Senate revealed that “high energy prices are most burdensome on the poor and disadvantaged, and that opening access to increased energy supply and helping them to use less energy will lower energy prices for the poor and disadvantaged.”

Full Text of Senator Inhofe’s Sense of the Senate Resolution on “Energy Justice”:

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES—110th Congress, 2nd Session.

To expresses the Sense of the Senate that development and implementation of environmental justice policies must be considered within the context of energy justice policies, that high energy prices are most burdensome on the poor and disadvantaged, and that opening access to increased energy supply and helping them to use less energy will lower energy prices for the poor and disadvantaged.

Whereas environmental justice can be defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income within the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies and laws; and

Whereas energy justice can be defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income within the development, implementation, and enforcement of national energy policies and laws with the goal to promote affordable and abundant energy; and

Whereas environmental justice and energy justice are not mutually exclusive; and

Whereas the nation is currently in the grips of an energy crisis; and Whereas according to a recent survey by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, 70 percent of households reduced food purchases, 30 percent reduced purchases of medicine, and 20 percent changed plans for either their own or their children’s education in order to cope with higher home energy and gasoline costs; and

Whereas America has ample supplies of oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale, uranium, and wind potential to meet our energy supply needs for the next century and beyond; and

Whereas drilling is currently prohibited by Congress on 85 percent of the nation’s outer continental shelf, which holds an estimated 14 billion barrels of recoverable oil or the equivalent of 25 years of imports from Saudi Arabia; and

Whereas commercial scale oil shale production is currently prohibited by Congress in the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming with nearly two trillion potentially-recoverable barrels of oil which at current rates of consumption could yield enough energy to fully meet America’s oil needs for nearly 240 years; and

Whereas energy is the nation’s lifeblood, the mostly unseen but present force that powers our economic engine, creates opportunities, and improves living standards:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that –

(1) implementation of environmental justice policies must always be considered in context with energy justice; and

(2) affordable energy is the creator of economic opportunities; and

(3) lifting Congressional prohibitions and increasing access to America’s abundant energy supply will lower the price of energy for the nation’s poor and disadvantaged.

Harry Alford To Chair U.S. Chamber of Commerce Regulatory Affairs Committee

The US Chamber of Commerce has recently appointed Harry C. Alford, left, to Chairman of the Regulatory Affairs Committee. Harry Alford is president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. This committee overseas federal regulations and laws and seeks to make improvement from a business perspective when and where necessary. The Committee will provide Mr. Alford with staff for research and initiatives. The first two projects driven by Mr. Alford will be

1. A review of Section 3 of the HUD Act: What would be the economic impact in terms of jobs, contracting and the poverty level if the US Department of HUD would efficiently implement Section 3 (here) versus the current status?

2. Environmental Justice: A thorough analysis of Environmental Justice and how it should be applied to federal programs.