The increased focus from federal agencies, notably U.S. EPA, on advancing environmental justice and equity has created and propelled an urge for states to improve and continue to take strides in addressing environmental justice and equity concerns. ECOS is working closely with its members, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to keep each other informed about policy developments, guidance, and best practices for embedding environmental justice and equity considerations in day-to-day programmatic work. ECOS remains committed to working with EPA on this mission and to advancing equity by increasing access to environmental benefits and decreasing burdens in communities that are underserved.
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, areas of EJ concern, etc. For more information on specific state agency EJ definitions, efforts, and more, view the list of state environmental agency EJ offices below.
ECOS Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Vision, Principles, & Priorities
Updated November 2022
The issuance of the ECOS Environmental Justice (EJ) and External Civil Rights Vision, Principles, & Priorities document was an effort led by the EJ Steering Committee and informed by input from across the ECOS membership. The document serves as a guide for ECOS EJ and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act work, while propelling the ECOS EJ Workgroup in its mission to advance equity and EJ.
Priorities include the compilation of state and federal best practices, coordination with U.S. EPA, and convening of states to inform policy decisions across federal partners.
ECOS will look to update and revise this document periodically, as appropriate.
ECOS Environmental Justice and Title VI Questions for U.S. EPA
Updated November 2022
Compiled in advance of the 2022 ECOS Fall Meeting, largely in response to EPA’s Interim EJ and Civil Rights in Permitting FAQs, ECOS developed the Environmental Justice and Title VI Questions for EPA document. This ECOS document, shared with EPA EJ leadership, includes ongoing ECOS member questions around EJ and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, as well as the Justice40 initiative and opportunities for continued EPA and other federal-state coordination. ECOS plans to use this living document in ongoing discussions with EPA.
ECOS will look to update and revise this document periodically, as appropriate.
ECOS Information Sharing Sessions
ECOS Environmental Justice (EJ) Workgroup
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 once a month (as appropriate). The ECOS EJ Workgroup 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.
- Conducting a dialogue with EPA to identify areas where states and EPA can partner to facilitate these efforts.
The ECOS EJ Workgroup held 10 calls in 2022. The below video recordings are from five state presentations.
- Engaging with Local Government in South Carolina, April 18, 2022
- Building Community Capacity in Michigan, May 16, 2022
- Defining Disadvantaged Communities in New York, June 24, 2022
- Employing Mapping Tools in California, August 15, 2022
- Employing Mapping Tools in Washington, August 15, 2022
The ECOS EJ Workgroup continues to hold regular calls in 2023. The following presentations are from the July 17th meeting:
The ECOS EJ Workgroup and the Compliance Committee held a joint meeting to discuss Supplement Environmental Projects (SEPs) on September 20th, 2023. Resources from this meeting are available below:
- SEPs and Environmental Justice (full recording)
- SEPs – Authorities and Opportunities (slides)
- SEPs in Colorado (slides)
Workshops on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
ECOS coordinated with U.S. EPA’s External Civil Rights Compliance Office in hosting a three-part series of workshops on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Presentation slides from each workshop can be found below.
- 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 Members
Six states currently serve on the ECOS EJ Steering Committee – Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, Texas, 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 and once a month with senior EPA EJ and Civil Rights leadership. The steering committee provides policy direction and convening services to the broader ECOS EJ Workgroup, while also facilitating information sharing with and feedback to 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
- Jon Niermann, Chairman, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- 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
- Miranda Chien-Hale/mchien-hale@ecos.org
- Adam Elkins/aelkins@ecos.org
