ECOS members are committed to increasing access to environmental benefits and decreasing burdens in underserved communities. ECOS is working closely with its members, U.S. EPA, and other stakeholders to share information about policy developments, guidance, and best practices for embedding environmental justice (EJ) and equity considerations in day-to-day programmatic work.
According to U.S. EPA, environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.
In addition to the U.S. EPA definition of environmental justice, it is important to note that state environmental agencies have their own definitions of disadvantaged communities, disproportionately impacted communities, and areas of EJ concern. For more information on specific state agency EJ definitions, efforts, and more, view the links to state resources on EJ below.
Key Information on Environmental Justice at ECOS
ECOS Green Report: State Environmental Justice Highlights in 2023
Published January 2024
This ECOS Green Report explores state efforts to advance Title VI and Environmental Justice in 2023, and highlights state presentations and topics examined during meetings of the ECOS EJ Workgroup. Sections cover new state EJ laws and policies, ongoing ECOS coordination with U.S. EPA, emerging state programs, Supplemental Environmental Projects on EJ, and EJ mapping tools.
An Environmental Permitting Risk Management Framework for States to Reduce Risk of Civil Rights Violations and Address Environmental Justice
Published January 2024
This Risk Management Framework presents strategies to assist ECOS members in understanding state compliance with civil rights laws and Title VI as they relate to environmental permitting, recognizing potential risks of both civil rights violations and industry litigation. The Framework identifies key actions across five subject areas, assigning them risk values based on an assessment of U.S. EPA publications and state experience.
ECOS Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Vision, Principles, & Priorities
Updated November 2022
This document was an effort led by the EJ Steering Committee and informed by input from ECOS members. The document serves as a guide for ECOS EJ and Title VI work, while propelling the ECOS EJ Workgroup in its mission to advance equity and EJ. Priorities include compiling state and federal best practices, coordinating with U.S. EPA, and convening states to inform policy decisions across federal partners.
ECOS Information Sharing Sessions
ECOS Environmental Justice (EJ) Workgroup
Led by the ECOS EJ Steering Committee, the ECOS EJ Workgroup is comprised of state environmental agency commissioners, their deputies, and/or their EJ directors/coordinators from more than 35 states. The workgroup meets monthly as needed and is open to all ECOS members and staff.
The goals of the workgroup include sharing ideas and experiences in implementing EJ efforts, discussing tools and approaches that would assist states in addressing EJ concerns, and conducting a dialogue with EPA to identify areas where states and EPA can partner to facilitate these efforts.
2024 Workgroup Presentations
- April 2024: ECOS Environmental Justice Workgroup on Working Collaboratively with Local Government in Indiana
- February 2024: ECOS Environmental Justice Workgroup on Interagency Coordination in Connecticut and Michigan
Other Workgroup Presentations
Workshops on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
ECOS coordinated with U.S. EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) in hosting two series of workshops on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Presentation slides from each workshop can be found below.
ECOS Members and Staff, please contact Adam Elkins (aelkins@ecos.org) to access recordings of the 2023 Workshop Series.
2023 Workshop Series
- Workshop #1: Overview of the Title VI Complaint and Compliance Review Processes
- Workshop #2: Exploring Pre-Award Reviews and Post-Award Audits
2022 Workshop Series
- Workshop #1: Title VI 101
- Workshop #2: Civil Rights Procedural Requirements and Best Practices
- Workshop #3: Ensuring Compliance with Anti-Discrimination Requirements—Application to Permitting and Other Issues
State Information on Environmental Justice, Community Engagement, and Title VI
- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
- Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
- California Environmental Protection Agency
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
- DC’s Department of Energy & Environment
- Delaware Division of Community Affairs
- Hawaii, Department of Health
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
- Indiana Department of Environmental Management
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet
- Maryland Department of the Environment
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- New Mexico Environment Department
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
- Virgina Department of Enviromental Quality
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Other Environmental Justice and Title VI Resources
Environmental Justice & Title VI News in the States
Environmental Justice & Title VI Documents from ECOS
Environmental Justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Team
ECOS Environmental Justice & Title VI (EJ) Steering Committee
Five states currently serve on the ECOS EJ Steering Committee – Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, Michigan, and New Hampshire.
Steering Committee members are expected to participate in the Spring, STEP, and Fall meetings, as well as virtual meetings once a month internally. The Steering Committee provides policy direction and convening services to the broader ECOS EJ Workgroup, while also facilitating information sharing with and feedback to U.S. EPA and other federal agencies.
The members are:
- Serena McIlwain, Secretary, Maryland Department of Environment (Co-chair)
- Myra Reece, Director, Environmental Affairs, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (Co-chair)
- Shawn LaTourette, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Aaron Keatley, Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Bob Scott, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
ECOS Staff Members
- Adam Elkins, aelkins@ecos.org
- Rachel Matney, rmatney@ecos.org
