Key Takeaways -
While the Trump administration has taken action to eliminate environmental justice (EJ) programs at the federal level, state programs with EJ laws and policies remain in place and apply to regulated...more
On March 29, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promulgated cumulative impact analysis regulations. This new regulation requires projects seeking comprehensive plan approvals within a...more
Today, President Biden signed a new executive order further directing all federal agencies to prioritize environmental justice (EJ) initiatives in their core missions. The Executive Order, entitled Revitalizing Our Nation’s...more
What Happened: New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “Cumulative Impacts Bill” into law. The law expands existing environmental review procedures under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the state...more
On June 6, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officially published the highly-anticipated proposed implementing rules of the state’s Environmental Justice Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157. The statute requires...more
New York’s Climate Justice Working Group (“CJWG”) recently released draft criteria that will be used to identify “Disadvantaged Communities,” (“DACs”) as defined by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (“CLCPA”...more
Pennsylvania — one of the earliest states to adopt an Environmental Rights Amendment to its constitution, in 1971 — has recently taken steps to expand its longstanding commitment to environmental justice (EJ).
On October...more
Overview and Potential Action for Industry Stakeholders -
On October 1, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) issued for public comment its Draft Strategic Plan to Address Climate Change and Advance...more
On May 7, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) adopted Rule 2305 (the “Rule”) aimed at regulating nitrogen oxide (NOx) and diesel particulate matter emissions associated with truck traffic at...more
On April 30, 2021, EPA Administrator Michael Regan signed the Biden EPA’s first proposed rule to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The nearly 300-page proposal goes into great detail about how EPA proposes...more