Pennsylvania updating Environmental Justice Policy, seeking feedback

“Within the northeast (a part of the state), there’s loads of concern about deserted mine reclamation,” mentioned Justin Dula, director of the Pennsylvania Workplace of Environmental Justice which operates below the state’s Division of Environmental Safety. “That is completely different from the problems that communities in Philadelphia have round issues like unlawful dumping.”

Environmental points disproportionately impression individuals of shade, who’re extra vulnerable to stay in areas of Pennsylvania which can be affected by air pollution.

It is the explanation the state’s Division of Environmental Safety classifies Environmental Justice (EJ) areas, that are decided by a number of elements together with demographics. Most EJ areas are neighborhoods the place at the very least 30% of residents are individuals of shade, and at the very least 20% of them stay at or beneath the federal poverty degree.

In a single EJ space of South Philadelphia, residents need an settlement with the corporate Hilco earlier than it repurposes the previous refinery web site of Philadelphia Power Options, which residents say introduced hurt to their neighborhoods. Residents wish to see a cleanup and have enter on what occurs subsequent.

“They (Hilco) marketed the truth that they had been going to repurpose all the refinery. We wish to guarantee that occurs,” mentioned Earl Wilson, President of the Eastwick Mates and Neighbors Coalition.

Wilson was amongst dozens of people that protested Hilco on Thursday afternoon. Their protest comes as Pennsylvania updates its Environmental Justice Coverage.

A part of it might equip residents with extra details about the businesses of their neighborhoods who take actions that would have an environmental impression; nonetheless, the coverage will not be the identical as a change in environmental legal guidelines.

“A coverage actually solely guides what DEP can do below current statute and regulation. It could’t create new legal guidelines or rules,” mentioned Dula, including that solely state or federal laws might try this.

Officers with the Workplace of Environmental Justice and the Division of Environmental Safety are searching for public enter on the updates to the Environmental Justice coverage. Public enter might be accepted by way of Might eleventh. The proposed up to date coverage may be seen on the state’s web site.

There are two extra hearings scheduled on the coverage. For info on these upcoming digital hearings and paperwork to share with others, click on right here.

The brand new Environmental Justice coverage might be carried out by late summer time or early fall of 2022.