"Sick building syndrome is attributed to inadequate ventilation, chemical
contaminants from indoor and outdoor sources, and biological contaminants such
as molds, bacteria, pollens, and viruses."(Davis, 2001, CA Research Bureau)
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EPA hosts historic meeting on Environmental Justice
On September 22, 2010 EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair, Nancy Sutley, reconvened the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJIWG) in a meeting held at the White House. (EPA)
Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice
EPA Hosts Historic Meeting on Environmental Justice
On September 22, 2010 EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair, Nancy Sutley, reconvened the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) in a meeting held at the White House. The meeting, attended by five cabinet members, demonstrates the federal government’s dedication to ensuring all Americans have strong federal protection from environmental and health hazards.
Next Steps:
Hold monthly EJ IWG meetings, including assigning senior officials from each Agency to coordinate EJ activities.
Organize regional listening sessions in early 2011.
Hold follow-up EJ IWG Principals Meetings in April and September 2011.
Each Agency will be tasked to develop or update their EJ strategy by September 2011.
Plan a White House forum for EJ leaders and stakeholders on Environmental Justice.
The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) was established in 1994 under Executive Order (EO) 12898 PDF (6 pp, 123K, About PDF). The EJ IWG is comprised of eleven federal agencies and several White House offices.
Focus and Goals
Identifying opportunities for Federal programs to improve the environment, public health, sustainable economies, and other environmental justice issues of concern for rural, suburban, urban and tribal disadvantaged communities.
Identifying opportunities to assist American Indian and Alaska Native tribes working to develop their renewable energy resources, to promote green jobs/green economies and reduce climate change impacts.
Holding quarterly meetings to share best practices for integrating and addressing environmental justice, as well as identifying opportunities to enhance coordination and collaboration among federal agencies.
Current Environmental Justice Efforts
Plan EJ 2014 - A four-year roadmap to help EPA develop stronger community relationships and increase the Agency’s efforts to improve environmental and health conditions in overburdened communities. The plan includes three main sections: Cross-cutting Agency Strategies, Tools Development, and Program Initiatives.
EJ in Rulemaking Guidance - The Interim Guidance on Considering Environmental Justice During the Development of an Action is a step-by-step guide that helps EPA staff consider environmental justice at key points in the rulemaking process.
Sustainable Communities Partnership - A collaborative Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, and EPA partnership to improve access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide.
Resources
Federal strategies, policies, guidance documents and workplans for implementing the Executive Order.
Protection of Sacred Sites is a compendium, by the Native American Task Force (PDF) (2pp, 257K, About PDF) containing federal memorandum, policies, executive orders, guidance, and statutes on Native American sacred places and cultural properties. The compendium identifies the tools which can be used to protect these resources.
