U.S. EPA appoints Oregon lawyer as lead for environmental justice efforts

WASHINGTON, February 8, 2008 (Reuters) – On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Robin Morris Collin (a college professor) will be leading efforts to improve environmental justice in communities disproportionately harmed from pollution.

The selection of her as senior EPA advisor for environmental justice is part the Biden administration’s efforts to fulfill a promise to ensure that environmental decisions and rules are fair and equitable to low-income communities and minority communities, who have historically been the most affected by pollution from power plants, refineries, and other industries.

Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, described Collinin in a statement to Reuters as “one the nation’s foremost specialists and lifelong advocate of overburdened communities.”

Collin is a Willamette University law professor who was the founding chair of Oregon’s Environmental Justice Task Force. The task force was established by the state legislature more than a decade ago. The task force has increased interaction between low-income and minorities communities and state policymakers on issues related to environmental policy.

Collin stated in a statement that “It is an honor to serve in this position to protect our land and air and water, and, as part that work, lift up communities underserved so that we can all thrive together.”

The EPA spent months looking for a candidate to fill the senior advisor role. They were hoping to find someone with credibility in the polluted communities and the ability to navigate a complicated federal regulatory environment.

The proposed budget for fiscal 2022 of the EPA includes a national environmental justice office, under a newly created assistant EPA administrator. This office would be able to elevate the position of senior advisor and require confirmation by senators.

Congress has yet not approved the new position.

The EPA plays a crucial role in achieving the environmental justice goals set forth by President Joe Biden’s Administration. It promised to deliver at minimum 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments into climate change action to disadvantaged areas. The EPA announced last month surprise inspections of facilities that are suspected to polluting.

Beverly Wright, executive director at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, stated that she is looking forward to working with Collin “to address urgent needs of underserved community members that have been left behind for far too long.”

Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw & Valerie Volcovici; Editing By Edmund Blair & Marguerita Choy

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