Environmental Justice for All (E.O. 14096)

Summary

Makes sure all people have a clean and healthy place to live by requiring the government to focus on fairness in its environmental actions.

What problem does this solve?

Many communities with low incomes or people of color face more pollution and health problems because of unfair past decisions, like where to place factories. This order directs all federal agencies to make it their mission to fix these problems and prevent them in the future.

What does this order do?

Makes environmental justice a mission for all agencies

Requires every federal agency to make achieving environmental justice a core part of its mission and daily work, not just an extra task.

Establishes the White House Office of Environmental Justice

Creates a new office within the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to lead and coordinate environmental justice efforts across the entire government.

Requires agencies to create environmental justice strategic plans

Directs agencies to develop and make public a strategic plan every four years that outlines their goals and actions for advancing environmental justice.

Creates a new science subcommittee for environmental justice

Forms a new subcommittee to find and fill gaps in data and research related to environmental justice, ensuring decisions are based on good science.

Mandates public meetings after toxic chemical spills

Requires federal agencies to hold a public meeting within six weeks of a toxic chemical release to inform the community about health risks and safety measures.

Strengthens the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council

Expands the membership and duties of the existing council, which helps federal agencies work together on environmental justice issues.

Integrates environmental justice into environmental reviews

Directs agencies to analyze the combined effects of pollution and other environmental harms on communities during reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Who does this affect?

Low-income communities
Communities of color
Tribal Nations

What is the real world impact?

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Addresses historical unfairness

Aims to correct long-standing problems where communities with low incomes and people of color have been unfairly burdened with pollution, hazardous waste sites, and other environmental dangers.

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Strengthens government-wide focus

Ensures that every part of the federal government, not just environmental agencies, must consider environmental justice in their decisions, from building roads to funding programs.

When does this start?

This order became effective on April 21, 2023, and sets several deadlines for federal agencies to take action over the next few years.

Public information clearinghouse

By March 31, 2024, the EPA must create a public website with materials and resources related to environmental justice.

Agency strategic plans

Within 18 months of the order (by October 21, 2024), each federal agency must submit its first Environmental Justice Strategic Plan.

Federal guidance

Within 18 months of the order (by October 21, 2024), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must issue final guidance for agencies on how to implement the order.

Agency progress reports

Within 2 years of submitting their strategic plans, agencies must release an assessment evaluating their progress.