In the wake of misleading and inaccurate characterizations by the Trump Administration that wrongly label environmental justice activities as illegal discrimination, the Attorneys General of California, Massachusetts, and New York, joined by the Attorneys General of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont from across the nation, issued multi-state guidance last month to affirm the importance and legality of efforts to advance environmental justice.
As the states explain: “Environmental justice aims to ensure that every person has equal access to clean air and water, safe and healthy food, a healthy and sustainable environment, and protection from the impacts of climate change. It prioritizes communities’ self-empowerment and addresses the right of people to participate in decisions that affect them and to receive equal protection from our nation’s laws.” The guidance makes clear that these Attorneys General felt compelled to address the concerns and confusion of stakeholders about their environmental justice efforts, epitomizing their role as the people’s law firm.
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