SUBJECT: Next Steps - Environmental Justice and Civil Rights

FROM: Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

TO: All EPA Employees

15 years ago, the first Executive Order on Environmental Justice was signed by President Clinton. Since that time, EPA and its partners have made progress on identifying and addressing the health and environmental burdens faced by communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. We should be proud of the work we’ve done to expand the reach of environmentalism and give those communities a voice in critical decisions that impact their lives. But a great deal of work remains ahead of us, and as EPA Administrator I am more committed than ever to environmental justice. Read More »»

On Sunday, November 8, Administrator Jackson spoke at the American Public Health Association’s 137 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. The Administrator told thousands of health professionals in attendance that environmental protection, the work of EPA, is public health protection. Whether it’s elevated asthma rates in our children, heart disease, cancer or respiratory illness we know many public health challenges we face are linked to our environment.

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In a speech at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Administrator Jackson announced core principles that outline the Obama Administration’s goals for legislative reform of this country’s chemical management law, the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, TSCA.

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EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced at a keynote address at the California Governor’s Global Climate Summit that the Agency has taken a significant step to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act. The Administrator announced a proposal requiring large industrial facilities that emit at least 25,000 tons of GHGs a year to obtain construction and operating permits covering these emissions. These permits must demonstrate the use of best available control technologies and energy efficiency measures to minimize GHG emissions when facilities are constructed or significantly modified.

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Administrator Jackson: a major step forward in our effort to address the greenhouse gases polluting our skies

Administrator Jackson announced that on January 1, 2010, EPA will, for the first time, require large emitters of heat-trapping emissions to begin collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data under a new reporting system. This new program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities.   Read full press release

Read Administrator Jackson’s full speech         

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On Tuesday, September 8, U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson visited Durham, North Carolina’s Southern High School for a “My Education, My Future” event. Administrator Jackson spoke first to the high school’s green club and later addressed the entire school before introducing President Obama’s televised national address on the importance of taking responsibility for their education. Administrator Jackson watched the speech with Southern High students and discussed the importance of taking responsibility for their education. (10:38)

Administrator Jackson has the lead blog entry on the Huffington Post Green page today.  She explains why we need to work to expand the conversation on environmental issues.  “To confront the urgent environmental challenges of the 21st century, we need to make sure that every community sees their stake in this movement.” Read Administrator Jackson on Huffington Post