Biden signs executive order on environmental justice
Biden signs executive order on environmental justice – says ‘racism is fundamental driver of environmental injustice’
- The order is designed to ensure that people on lower incomes and minorities do not suffer “disproportionate environmental harm.”
- Lists those who have been victims of a “legacy of racial discrimination, including redlining”
- The order requires agencies to notify nearby communities in the event of a toxic release from a federal facility
President Biden will sign an executive order Friday declaring “environmental justice” a priority at federal agencies.
It creates a new White House Office of Environmental Justice that will be headed by a Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer charged with overseeing environmental justice goals within the government.
The order aims to ensure that people on lower incomes and minorities do not suffer “disproportionate harm to the environment,” particularly as a result of a “legacy of racial discrimination, including redlining.”
In addition, the order requires agencies to notify nearby communities in the event of a release of toxic materials from a federal facility and directs agencies to address gaps in science, data and research related to environmental justice.
President Biden will sign an executive order Friday declaring “environmental justice” a priority at federal agencies
In addition, the White House has announced that it will launch a new environmental justice scorecard that will review data from federal agencies on environmental justice. They also announced new programs under “Justice40,” which states that 40 percent of all funds from certain federal investments should flow to “underserved communities.”
“For far too long, communities in our country have faced persistent environmental injustice from toxic pollution, underinvestment in infrastructure and critical services, and other disproportionate environmental damage, often due to a legacy of racial discrimination, including redlining,” the White House said in a press release. . Edition.
“These communities concerned about environmental justice are facing even greater burdens from climate change.”
“The Executive Order recognizes this reality and that racism is a fundamental driver of environmental injustice.”
The White House has tried to contrast its environmental priorities with those of the Republicans, who portray them as in the pocket of Big Oil.
The House GOP is now pushing to include its sprawling energy package, HR 1, in their package to raise the debt ceiling. HR 1 is trying to boost energy production domestically by reducing the oil, gas and mineral extraction regulations needed for green energy.
The order aims to ensure that lower-income and minority people do not suffer “disproportionate environmental damage,” particularly those inflicted as a result of a “legacy of racial discrimination, including redlining.”
Friday’s order comes after Thursday, when Biden pledged $1 billion to help other countries around the world fight climate change, and another $500 million to help curb deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
The $1 billion will come from last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, but Biden will have to work with Congress to secure the $500 million.
Biden has made fighting climate change one of his top priorities.
“The United States is taking bold steps to put our energy sector on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest,” he said.