Decades of policy choices rooted in racism by companies and government have left a legacy of communities of color disproportionately poisoned by the cumulative exposure of polluted air and water.
From the Houston Shipchannel to the Mississippi delta to the Navajo reservation to the foothills of Appalachia, and so many places in between, these grave environmental injustices call upon stronger legislation from the federal government.
The Environmental Justice for All Act is the type of bold legislation we need to right the wrongs of environmental racism. We must show that there is strong support for this important bill -- so take action today!
The A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act will:
- Require consideration of cumulative environmental impacts in permitting decisions under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act and ensures that permits issued pursuant to such acts demonstrate a reasonable certainty of no harm to human health after the consideration of cumulative impacts.
- Strengthen existing laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that includes the voices of local communities to have a say in large infrastructure projects, from pipelines to chemical plants
- Include the Outdoors for All Act to increase access to greenspace and the outdoors -- especially communities of color and low-income neighborhoods for the health and well-being of all
- Strengthen a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that has been gutted by the Supreme Court to allow those faced with discrimination to seek legal reparations
- Improve transportation infrastructure serving critically underserved communities to increase access to public lands.
- Repeal the sunset of the Every Kid Outdoors program which grants all fourth graders free access to federal public lands.
- And much more. [1]
After over a year of input from environmental justice leaders across the country during a collaborative community process, Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ) and Rep. Donald McEachin (VA) first introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act in the House in February 2020. A few months later, Senators Booker (NJ), Harris (CA), and Duckworth (IL) introduced its companion bill in the Senate. Now, the bill has been re-introduced in this Congressional session under a new name, to honor the legacy of the late Rep. Donald McEachin.
It's time this gains more support from the full Congress. Use this form to send a message to your members of Congress today!