Breaking Down Biden’s New Environmental Justice Executive Order
President Biden signed Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All on April 21, 2023. The EO aims to “revitalize the nation’s commitment to environmental justice for all” and requires agency accountability and public engagement measures. This is just the first step towards the environmental justice we need to achieve, but it gives more power to the weak initiatives that were in placec. The approach and enforcement will be informed by scientific research, high-quality data, and meaningful federal engagement with communities with environmental justice concerns.
The first major update is the new definition of environmental justice, which removed the requirement that the negative effects of environmental issues should be “disproportionately high” to be addressed. The new definition makes it easier to identify and address environmental issues that can impact people in different ways:
Agency Accountability
EO 14096 mandates various initiatives targeting agency accountability. Firstly, it requires agencies to create environmental justice strategic plans, conduct research on environmental justice issues, and expand notification systems for toxic chemical releases. Secondly, it establishes a new Environmental Justice Interagency Council and White House Office of Environmental Justice to improve coordination and ensure effective implementation of environmental justice policies across agencies. Thirdly, the EO aims to identify and address gaps in science, data, and research related to environmental justice and prepare and update an Environmental Justice Science, Data, and Research Plan biennially.
Federal agencies must also evaluate cumulative effects and identify potential avoidance and mitigation measures and avoid discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. The Executive Order also mandates respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance by ensuring that Tribal Nations are consulted on Federal policies with Tribal implications.
The initiatives aim to increase federal agency permitting, funding grants, and other authorizations for projects or activities that may impact Environmental Justice communities. The outcome of these initiatives should be increased federal agency accountability, better coordination, and more effective implementation of Environmental Justice policies and protections.
Meaningful Public Input
Meaningful public input is not only important but also required for effective Environmental Justice initiatives. The Executive Order mandates that agencies must seek input from impacted communities and ensure that discussions are accessible and facilitated without language barriers. Additionally, the Executive Order encourages the use of participatory citizen science to gather data and research from the public. Furthermore, the public is required to be able to submit recommendations to Federal agencies relating to the incorporation of Environmental Justice principles into Federal agency programs or policies. By requiring meaningful public input, the Executive Order ensures that Environmental Justice policies address the needs and concerns of impacted communities and promote equity in all aspects of decision-making.
In conclusion, Biden’s Executive Order on Environmental Justice is a significant step towards addressing the inequities in our environmental policies and promoting inclusive decision-making. As someone who cares deeply about environmental justice, I am watching to see how this Executive Order will impact agency decisions and how seriously they will take the requirements for agency accountability and public input. With more accessible facilitated discussions, participatory citizen science, and increased opportunities for public input, the federal government can work towards creating more just and equitable policies that prioritize the health and well-being of all communities. It’s time to put the most vulnerable and marginalized communities at the forefront of environmental decision-making, and this Executive Order is a crucial step towards achieving that goal.
Read the full Executive Order here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/04/21/executive-order-on-revitalizing-our-nations-commitment-to-environmental-justice-for-all/
