This is your last chance to comment about the state’s policy of engagement with residents from poor communities and communities that are more vulnerable to environmental hazards.
Last week, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), published the final draft of the state Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy.
Justin Dula, acting director of state Office of Environmental Justice, stated that we are looking to build on and expand upon the policy from criticisms we have heard.
Dula stated that Pennsylvania was the pioneer in environmental justice in 2004. Since then, however, other states have outperformed us. This policy is now in the forefront of our efforts to keep up with the competition.
TheRevision draftThis significantly expands the policy, which dates back from 2004, and gives residents of the so-called environmental justice zones extra information and engagement opportunities during permitting for projects in their neighborhood like landfills or industrial wastewater facilities that could impact the environment or public safety.
The changes were created through outreach meetings over many years with the aim of incorporating residents’ views into more aspects DEP work and providing tangible benefit to communities.
Dula stated that there was a lot of frustration and feedback about the fact that the Department of Environmental Protection only focused on the public participation aspect of things. This is when communities face issues and concerns regarding other items.
The current policy defines EJ areas as communities in which at least 20% of residents earn less than the federal poverty line and/or 30% identify with a non white minority. This places nearly a third of Pennsylvanians in an EJ area, as well as almost the entire City of Philadelphia. The states however,MapThese areas could change as often as every other year under the revised revision. The American Community Survey data are the most current.
Dula stated that DEP may also look at changing the indicators it uses for defining EJ areas. This could be done using models from other states, such as California’s CalEnviroScreen. This model takes into consideration a variety of indicators, including English proficiency, asthma rates, education level, and actual air quality, to create a tiered rating system to help communities.
Prioritized inspections
The EJ policy overhaul would allow DEP to prioritize inspections of polluting plants in EJ areas, or areas where environmental and health conditions warrant greater attention. The agency could increase penalties in these areas if necessary. Dula stated that DEP could in certain cases direct penalty money to community environmental projects.
Dula stated that he hopes to see the community benefit from the things that are negatively affecting them.
Notably, facilities in Philadelphia that have air pollution permits would not be subjected to the state’s updated EJ policy. These fall under the jurisdiction of the city’s Air Management Services (AMS). Phillys AMS is responsible for itsYour own environmental justice policyfor greater public participation in and close to census tracts that are aligned with the current state definition of EJ areas.
The revision of the state policy would also require additional community meetings on unconventional oil and gas well permit activity. Dula stated that currently there is a mandatory timeline that does not allow for much public participation.
Dula explained that this was to bring the operators together with the community, and hopefully help establish long-term communication between them, so that they can shape future development.
Dula stated that policy revisions would also formalize work already done by DEP, such as prioritizing grant application from areas of environmental justice and incorporating justice concerns into states.Climate action plan.
Virtual Hearings
Three virtual hearings will be held by state officials on April 5, April 12, and April 28 to gather public comments about the draft policy. Dula said that officials will listen to Pennsylvanians concerns about the draft policy.
The public comment period closes May 11.
