Sierra Club, Grassroots Activists Applaud House Action on Environmental Justice for All Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House National Resources Committee held a legislative markup of the Environmental Justice for All Act. The bill, introduced by Reps Raúl M. Grijalva and Donald McEachin is the most significant effort by the federal government to address generations of environmental racism. The bill includes bold policies that will strengthen the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to require federal agencies to consider the cumulative and disproportionate impacts of pollution on communities of color. It would also enable residents and groups to hold polluters accountable in court for projects that use federal funds and engage in environmental discrimination. Additionally, the bill would use new fees on oil, gas, and coal companies to fund investments in environmental justice communities.

In response, Liz Perera, Senior Director of Climate Policy and Federal Partnerships at Sierra Club released the following statement:

“Today’s action taken to address the continual impacts of pollution in communities of color and others directly on the frontlines of the urgent climate reality will be remembered as the most significant effort by the federal government taking action to ensure we all have the right to healthy, safe communities and liveable planet for all following generations of environmental racism in both policy and inaction.

“Our grassroots partners and activists in our pursuit for a liveable planet, celebrate today’s vote and continue our commitment to holding polluters and politicians accountable, both in the courts and in our communities.”