TRAINING: Understanding Environmental Justice Laws and Policies
This event and series are presented by the Institute for Policy Integrity in its role as a coalition partner in EPA's Region 2 Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center.
View a recording of this event here.
Download the slide presentation from this event here.
This training presented a high-level overview of key laws and policies that require the consideration of Environmental Justice (EJ) issues in decisionmaking at the federal and state level for New York and New Jersey. Starting with exploring the legal authority that state and federal governments have to consider EJ, the training reviewed how the government is structured – executive, legislative, and judicial branches – and how each branch can advance EJ. Delving into key EJ laws, the training covered related executive actions and policies implemented by Presidents and Governors, as well as the agencies that are part of the executive branch and their roles on EJ issues. Participants left this training with a deeper understanding of both the possibilities and limitations of EJ laws and policies, and pathways for communities to effectively engage with the government on EJ issues.
Participants had access to the following resources:
- Issue briefs outlining the structure & legal authority of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government on EJ issues
- Recording and slides from this first training will be available on our training page
This training is part of a series, presented by the Institute for Policy Integrity, that focuses on providing Environmental Justice (EJ) communities with the tools to effectively engage with government at all levels. With increased focus on EJ in government decision- and grant-making at the federal and state levels, many communities are facing questions of if, when, and how to effectively engage with government on issues related to energy, climate, and environmental protection. Attendees do not need a background in EJ law or policy.
