WE ACT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE RESPONDS TO THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PHASE I NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT RULEMAKING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2022
Contact: Lauren Hall, lauren@weact.org, (703) 447-7106
WASHINGTON, DC – Today the White House Council on Environmental Quality finalized its Phase I rulemaking on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Dana Johnson, senior director of strategy and federal policy with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, responded with the following statement:
“NEPA has been called the people’s environmental law and requires the government to assess health and environmental concerns before launching a major project. This look before you leap requirement gives communities a voice in deciding, planning and executing major initiatives that include fossil fuel energy infrastructure build outs.
The need for strong and clear NEPA guidance is vitally important as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which invests $1 trillion in infrastructure projects, is being implemented. The output of the Phase I process is a start in undoing the Trump Administration’s effort to undermine basic protections such as the public’s right to participate in decision-making and the federal government’s obligation to consider the cumulative impact of health and environmental hazards in overburdened communities.
The planned Phase II rulemaking is the Biden Administration’s opportunity to take bolder steps toward democratizing federal projects in all communities – especially in areas where there is a history of using federal funds to advance initiatives that displace families, reinforce racial segregation, create economic hardships, and perpetuate health and environmental injustices. We also hope to see the Administration use the Phase II rulemaking process to meaningfully address the anticipated adverse impacts of NEPA changes that passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.