From Clean Water Action (http://www.cleanwateraction.org/):
We all deserve to live in a healthy environment free of toxic pollution. Our families have a right to safe drinking water, clean air, clean energy, and the ability to help shape decision-making in your own community.
Unfortunately, many low-income and communities of color across the country have borne the brunt of environmental degradation and injustice while being left out of crucial decision-making processes.
The time for this to change is now. The landmark Environmental Justice for All Act (H.R. 2021) would strengthen the ability of communities overburdened by multiple sources of harmful pollution to protect and enforce their rights to good health and a clean, safe environment.
Now it’s time for Congress to act! Contact your Representative today at https://cleanwater.salsalabs.org/national-ej-4-all-act/index.html and ask them to co-sponsor and support the EJ4All Act.
Marginalized communities have historically been chosen as the sites for oil and gas infrastructure, landfills, and hazardous waste dumps. These polluters have degraded the quality of the air, water, and land in these communities, and have caused immense damage to personal health. The federal response to this injustice has been poor, and limited resources have been directed to addressing this issue.
The EJ4All Act would finally right this wrong by:
- Requiring the federal government to consider the cumulative impacts of pollution on local communities in permitting and project decisions.
- Prohibiting the federal government from approving permits for projects that cannot demonstrate with reasonable certainty they would not damage the health of area residents.
- Requiring federal agencies to meaningfully consider direct input from frontline and fenceline communities early on in consideration of projects that would affect communities and their environments.
- Strengthening the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and creating a path to the courts for affected communities. Doing so would ensure that people and organizations can seek legal remedy when faced with discrimination.
Stand up for healthy communities and environmental justice for all today! Urge your Members of Congress to begin reversing decades of harmful environmental impact on low income communities and communities of color by supporting the EJ4All Act.
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