The public comment period closes May 11.
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.
Friday’s final draft revision of the state Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy was released by officials from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
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 leading the charge in environmental justice policy in 2004. Since then, however, other states have outperformed us. We are now looking to be at the forefront of this policy.
TheDraft revisionThe policy, which dates back from 2004, has been significantly expanded. It provides residents of the so-called “environmental justice areas” with additional information and engagement opportunities in the permitting process for projects that will affect the environment or health. These changes were made through outreach meetings over several years with the aim of including residents’ views in more aspects of DEP work, and providing tangible benefits for communities.
Dula stated that we have heard a lot of complaints about the fact that the Department of Environmental Protection was not focusing on the public participation aspect of the permit process. However, communities are still facing concerns and issues regarding other items.
The current policy defines EJ areas as communities in which at least 20% of residents are below 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. However, the states are not included in this definition.MapThese areas could change as often or as often as every two years under the revision. This revision uses the most recent American Community Survey data.
Kimberly Paynter/WHYY
Philly Thrive members protested a public meeting that did no place any residents on the panel.
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.
DEP could prioritise inspections of polluting facilities within EJ areas or areas where environmental or public health conditions warrant more attention under the EJ policy reform. These areas could see the agency increasing penalties if it is possible. 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 has its ownYour own environmental justice strategyfor 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 stated that the goal of this meeting is to bring operators into the room and hopefully help build long-term communications between these groups. This will hopefully help shape future development.
Dula said that the policy revision would also formalize DEP’s existing work, such as prioritizing grant applicants from environmental justice area and incorporating justice concerns in the states.Climate action plan.
To gather public feedback, state officials will hold three virtual hearings on April 5, April 12th and April 28th. Dula stated that officials will listen to what Pennsylvanians have to say.
The public comment period closes May 11.
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