- Nick Delgado used his boat to pick up a neighbor’s children from school during heavy rains in Lake Charles, May 17, 2021. (Rick Hickman/ American Press Archives
ByJackGlobal Government ForumAldane | Global Government Forum
The Office of Environmental Justice has been established by the Biden administration. This new US justice department office will address the adverse impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
The OEJ was created to serve all Americans who are affected by climate change. However, it will be focusing on low income and indigenous minorities who are likely to be most severely affected by extreme weather events.
Merrick B. Garland (the US attorney general) introduced an environmental justice enforcement policy to coincide with the OEJ’s launch. It is expected that this strategy will help guide the justice department’s work moving forward.
Garland stated that the (OEJ), will be the hub for our efforts in advancing (the strategy). We will prioritize those cases that will have the greatest effect on the most vulnerable communities.
An Interim Final Rule was also introduced by him. This rule aims to restore settlements with commitments for new environmental projects to be built in areas where corporate or individual actions have caused violations of communities. These projects are called supplemental environmental projects (SEPs). SEPs are not required by the US Environmental Protection Agency, nor are they legally required at the federal or state levels. They provide benefits that go beyond compliance obligations.
Michael S. Regan is the administrator of the EPA. He stated that the strategy exemplifies Biden-Harris’ commitment to holding polluters accountable in order to fulfill our environmental justice priority. He added that it was critical SEPs were brought into effect as a tool to secure tangible public health benefits for communities harmed by environmental violations.”
Climate change
In September 2013, the US federal government created a new office to protect public health from climate risks. The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity was established to address the effects of climate change on public and private health in the United States. It also focuses on vulnerable communities that have been affected by drought, pollution, and wildfires. OCCHE is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services and was created following the devastating effects of Hurricane Ida’s destruction in Louisiana in August 2021.
Biden also increased federal requirements for assessing the environmental impact of infrastructure projects last month. He restored important legal functions that require government agencies assess the negative effects of major infrastructure constructions. These requirements, according to the White House would require that communities be assessed for the potential release of pollution into areas already burdened with polluted air and dirty water.
Cynthia Ferguson, an Attorney at the OEJ, will lead it.United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division(ENRD). She has over ten years’ experience in environmental justice issues. She was appointed as acting director.
