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ARTICLE · 03 MARCH 2022

Environmental Justice 101: Leveling The Playing Field In The Permitting Process

Ward and Smith, P.A
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The concept of "environmental justice" (or "EJ" among environmental practitioners) is not new.

United StatesEnvironment
Amy Wang
Amy Wang

The concept of "environmental justice" (or "EJ" among environmental practitioners) is not new. 

It developed in response to the inordinate number of industrial facilities and contaminated sites located near underrepresented or overburdened communities, which adversely and disproportionately affected the health and well-being of those communities.  With the change in federal administrations and intense global discourse on climate change, EJ has now evolved and matured into concrete requirements to be considered in the realm of environmental permitting.  Considering EJ concerns in permitting decisions gives affected communities a voice in the process for projects planned near them.

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