BILL: Should We Seek Environmental Justice? - A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice For All Act - H.R.1705

The Bill

H.R.1705 - A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice For All Act

Bill Details

• Sponsored by Rep. Raúl M.Grijalva (D-Ariz.) on March 22, 2023
• Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Judiciary; Transportation and Infrastructure; Agriculture; Education and the Workforce
• House: Not yet voted
• Senate: Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• Named in honor of the House bill's original co-lead, the legislation is the most comprehensive environmental justice ruling in history that restores, reaffirms, and reconciles justice and civil rights.
• Environmental justice embraces the principle that all people and communities have a right to equal protection and enforcement of environmental laws and to pure air, clean water, and an environment that enriches life. 
• Expands equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation, prioritizing opportunities that benefit urban communities.
• Co-sponsored by Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), co-chairs of the Senate's first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus.

What's in the Bill

Targets environmental racism

• Focuses on justice for people, particularly people of color, in underserved, low income communities who have been disproportionately harmed by toxic pollutants.  
• Holds corporations accountable for toxic contamination.

Authorizes funding and resources

• Directs federal agencies to develop environmental justice strategies and regularly report on implementation and progress.
• Authorizes $75 million annually for grants to support research, education, and implementation of projects to address environmental and public health issues.
• Establishes a Federal Energy Transition Economic Development Assistance Fund to use revenues from the oil, gas, and coal industries to support communities during the green energy transition.

Health equity

• Funds research programs to investigate personal, menstrual, and childcare products containing chemicals linked to adverse health impacts.
• Supports research to identify safer alternatives for cosmetic products marketed specifically towards women and girls of color.

A focus on cumulative impacts 

• Requires consideration of cumulative impacts in permitting decisions under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. Permits will not be issued if the project cannot demonstrate a reasonable certainty of no harm to human health. 

What Supporters Are Saying

• Sen. Duckworth said:

"For far too long, we have put our most toxic, most polluting industries next door to Black and Brown neighborhoods while those in power have looked away—enough."

• Sen. Booker said:

"In this country, environmental justice is intrinsically linked with economic and social justice. We have a moral obligation to ensure that everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Unfortunately, communities of color, low-income communities, and indigenous communities across our country are disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals and harmful pollutants that result from the actions of the negligent few."

• Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said:

"Growing up in El Paso, Texas under the shadow of the Asarco copper smelter, I know firsthand how harmful environmental pollution can be to communities. But unlike when I was a child, we now have overwhelming, indisputable scientific evidence that marginalized communities in America are bearing the brunt of toxic pollution and climate change."

• The legislative process solicited feedback and recommendations from people impacted by environmental injustice. Beginning in 2018, Rep. Grijalva and Rep. McEachin launched a nationwide, community-driven process to craft the act.

What Opponents Are Saying

• In Louisiana's Cancer Alley, a council called the Greater New Orleans Inc. has launched a "sustainability council" to "protect and grow safe and responsible community jobs and prosperity in Louisiana" and fight off charges of environmental injustice. The group comprises over 60 representatives from companies like Chevron, Dow, Energy, BASF, and ExxonMobil.
• Matt Wolfe, vice president of communications at Greater New Orleans Inc., said activists focus "only on the negative, and not on the positive impacts of industry on jobs, or on improving environmental outcomes."

Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill

-Emma Kansiz

(Photo Credit: Canva)