Staff Report –

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With less than six weeks to go before the critical midterm elections, the Biden administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have announced the establishment of a new national office charged with advancing environmental justice and civil rights to deliver on President Biden’s commitment to elevate these critical issues to the highest levels of the government.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the creation of the new office Saturday alongside environmental justice and civil rights leaders in Warren County, North Carolina, which was the site of protests 40 years ago that launched the environmental justice movement.

I am honored to announce that @EPA is creating a new Office of Environmental Justice and Civil Rights — elevating these critical issues to the highest levels of the agency. pic.twitter.com/yMKZLIZtYe

— Michael Regan, U.S. EPA (@EPAMichaelRegan) September 24, 2022

YouTube Video

The positive public reaction from environmental leaders around the country started coming in immediately.

“The establishment of EPA’s new Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is a significant step forward in the fight to deliver clean air, water and land for all in an equitable and just way,” said Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “We thank the Biden Administration and this EPA for centering environmental justice and civil rights in the Agency’s mission and efforts. We look forward to engaging with the new national program to elevate the experiences of overburdened communities facing disproportionate impacts of pollution and ensure these communities receive the environmental and economic benefits they deserve.”

Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, said “EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights will create new and environmentally favorable opportunities for communities disproportionately impacted by decades of environmental injustice. It will also effectively hold polluters legally accountable for civil rights violations.

“After generations of denial and inaction, it is a testament to the progress the environmental justice movement has made to see the Biden Administration recognize and take action on the institutional and structural racism that exists within climate policy,” she added. “Through this new effort, funding and resources will finally make it to the communities that need it most. Our fight for environmental justice will continue, but we are encouraged by this important step forward.”

Dr. Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University, pointed out that for decades, communities of color and low-income communities have faced disproportionate impacts from environmental contamination and for decades we have been fighting to elevate their stories and deliver protections equally, for everyone.

“This work to advance environmental justice goes hand in hand with the fight for civil rights, and EPA’s efforts under this new office will deliver progress for the communities that need action now,” he said.

“This is an historic day – not just for Warren County, North Carolina where the environmental justice movement began, but for the millions of Americans all across this country who have been demanding and fighting tirelessly for environmental justice for decades,” said Congressman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina.

“I commend President Biden, Vice President Harris, and EPA Administrator Michael Regan on their work to create the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Today’s announcement, which comes on the heels of the historic climate and environmental justice investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, is another bold example that the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress will ensure every community has a voice and the investments needed to grow and thrive. Working together, we will solve the climate crisis and make America’s clean energy economy the envy of the world.”

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said: “For too long, our underserved communities have been disproportionately impacted by climate change and unfair environmental impacts. That’s why we’re focused on moving North Carolina toward a more equitable, clean energy future for all, and this new office will help our state and country get there even sooner.”

Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, Chair of Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said he applauds the move.

“As Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and a co-founder of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, I applaud this move by Administrator Regan to create EPA’s first-ever Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Far too many of our most disadvantaged Americans continue to live in communities where clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment aren’t a reality,” he said. “That is why having a single, mission-driven office led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Administrator is so critical. I’m confident this office will elevate EPA’s role in advancing environmental justice, especially as the agency works to implement the historic climate and equity investments in the Inflation Reduction Act.”

Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. of New Jersey, Chair of House Committee on Energy and Commerce, said with the opening of this important new office, the Biden EPA is once again demonstrating genuine commitment to environmental justice communities and ensuring that they won’t be overlooked or disregarded.

“I commend Administrator Regan for bringing this vision to life,” he said. “EJ communities are most at risk, and yet they are the ones that have historically been most underserved — but today I am optimistic that together we will right those wrongs, and I’m looking forward to working with this new office to ensure that we do.”

Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Chair of Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, said climate chaos will affect us all.

“We’ve already seen that heat waves, deadly air pollution, and other burdens fall disproportionately on communities of color and marginalized communities with the fewest resources,” he said. “As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I personally approved the creation of this new Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights and worked hard to secure an unprecedented increase to $100 million in FY22 funding for the office. I look forward to partnering with this team as we continue to mitigate racial inequities, tackle environmental justice concerns, and work to ensure every American in every community has clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and green spaces to enjoy.”

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine, Chair of House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, also applauded the move.

“As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, I have fought to ensure environmental justice programs receive the funding they have long needed to uplift our most vulnerable while protecting the environment,” she said. “I am grateful that President Biden has been a partner in our efforts to comprehensively protect American communities from environmental hazards. With the launch of a new Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, the Biden administration has not only solidified its commitment to environmental justice, it has also made a historic step toward environmental equity for all Americans.”

Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Tammy Duckworth Illinois, Co-Chairs of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, issued a joint statement.

“For too long, our most toxic, polluting industries have been located next door to Black, Brown, Indigenous and low-income communities at the expense of their health while too many in power have looked the other way,” they said. “Racial justice, civil rights and equity should be prioritized in every aspect of our nation—including in environmental justice and climate action. We’re proud to see that EPA is continuing to heed the calls of our Environmental Justice Caucus and countless EJ advocates by launching this office to help protect long-underserved communities.”

Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Virginia, Co-Chair of House Environmental Justice Task Force, applauded President Joe Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan for their continued commitment to prioritizing and advancing environmental justice.

“We cannot combat the climate crisis without confronting environmental injustice, and today’s announcement is recognition of this fact, ” he said. “The EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is a welcomed addition, especially as federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are dispersed to states and localities. Together, we will continue fighting to ensure no community is left behind.”

Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán of California, Co-Chair of House Environmental Justice Task Force, said this new office demonstrates EPA’s deep commitment to environmental justice, and its creation comes at a critical time in our fight against the climate crisis.

“It will help EPA implement the unprecedented investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, including $3 billion in climate and environmental justice grants I secured,” she said. “The Office will strengthen EPA’s partnership with environmental justice communities in my district and throughout the country to reduce pollution and hold polluters accountable.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, Co-Chair of House Environmental Justice Task Force, said it is apparently clear that any bold action we take to address the climate crisis must be rooted in environmental justice.

“Too many of our marginalized communities have suffered environmental injustice for far too long,” she said. “President Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan understand this. The establishment of EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights marks the Biden Administration’s continued commitment towards ensuring that our marginalized communities aren’t left behind as we seek to leave a healthy planet for the generations that come after us. I look forward to continuing working with the Administration in pursuit of that goal.”

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois said breathing clean air and having access to clean water shouldn’t be a privilege for the few.

“It’s the right of every American, but too often we see low-income communities and neighborhoods of color face the brunt of environmental hazards, resulting in damage to public health,” he said. “I’m encouraged by the launch of the new Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to ensure that every community, particularly those who have historically faced the most harm from environmental mismanagement, has access to clean air and water. I look forward to working alongside the new EPA office on behalf of Illinoisans.”

Dr. Margot Brown, Vice President of Justice and Equity at Environmental Defense Fund, said the move is long overdue.

“During my time at EPA, I saw the enormous potential that federal attention and resources can have for environmental justice efforts,” she said. “This development is an important step to mobilize work at every level to achieve a more just future. The climate crisis demands us to sharpen our commitment to environmental action and — crucially — to invest in the communities most affected by environmental degradation and disaster. With this new department, EPA is filling key gaps and taking a major stride in supporting and protecting every community, especially the communities to which the environmental movement is indebted.”

Leslie Fields, Sierra Club National Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Legal, said the club is “pleased” with the EPA’s announcement to merge their environmental justice and civil rights offices, said she hopes this action “leads to meaningful change in historically environmentally overburdened and underserved communities across the country. This new office is a result of decades of work by environmental justice, civil rights, and environmental advocates, and today, we celebrate their efforts while acknowledging how far we have to go to achieve true justice.”

___

If you support truth in reporting with no paywall, and fearless writing with no popup ads or sponsored content, consider making a contribution today with GoFundMe or Patreon or PayPal.