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The World Resources Institute analyzes CEJST 1.0, finding that while it identifies more disadvantaged populations than the beta version, it lacks a mechanism to prioritize communities facing multiple overlapping burdens. The analysis reveals that non-white populations are disproportionately exposed to higher cumulative burdens, yet the tool treats all disadvantaged communities as equal for funding purposes. The authors recommend incorporating cumulative burden metrics, adjusting low-income eligibility for severely burdened areas, and establishing a rigorous monitoring framework for the Justice40 Initiative.

The document details various funding mechanisms under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aimed at decarbonizing medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV) and reducing pollution in disadvantaged communities. It categorizes these incentives into EPA-administered grants—including $3 billion for port equipment, $1 billion for clean heavy-duty vehicles, and $26.97 billion for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund—and IRS-administered tax credits for commercial clean vehicles and refueling infrastructure.

The report finds that while only 34% of Americans have heard of 'climate justice', 53% support its goals after reading a description. There is significant political polarization regarding the term, but broad support among registered voters for specific policies, such as creating green spaces in low-income communities (81%) and training programs for renewable energy jobs (75%).

The report finds that while only 34% of Americans are familiar with the term 'climate justice,' a majority (53%) support its goals after receiving a description. There is significant political polarization regarding the causes of climate vulnerability, though a large majority of registered voters support specific climate justice policies, such as increasing green spaces and energy efficiency in low-income communities. Approximately 44% of registered voters are more likely to vote for candidates who support climate justice.

A coalition of environmental justice organizations argues that the EPA's proposed regulations for the oil and gas sector must be strengthened to protect Black, Latine, tribal, and low-income communities. The commenters detail how these groups suffer disproportionate health risks from air and water pollution, economic burdens from orphaned wells and property devaluation, and heightened climate vulnerability. They recommend specific policy enhancements, including stricter leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements, the elimination of routine flaring, and more robust community monitoring and well-closure mandates.

As of September 2022, there are 13,053 committed electric school buses in the US, spanning 483 school districts across 39 states. California leads adoption, and the largest funding source is California's Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program. While adoption is high in areas with significant air pollution and among communities of color, the highest number of buses are concentrated in districts with the lowest percentages of low-income households.

GreenLatinos supports President Biden's goals for clean energy transition and pollution reduction, emphasizing the need for the Inflation Reduction Act and Justice40 Initiative to benefit Latine and other communities of color.

GreenLatinos endorses President Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union goals, specifically those regarding the replacement of lead pipes, the construction of resilient power grids, and the transition to clean energy. The organization emphasizes the need for the Inflation Reduction Act and the Justice40 Initiative to provide tax credits and grants to marginalized communities, including Latino, Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander populations, to ensure a just transition and address the disproportionate pollution burdens faced by these groups.

A coalition of environmental and tribal organizations argues that current U.S. mining laws are deficient and have led to widespread pollution, specifically citing the legacy of uranium mining in the Navajo Nation. The authors advocate for transitioning to a leasing system for hardrock minerals, as proposed in the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2022, and the utilization of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve environmental reviews and tribal consultations.

Virginia has four commercial sterilizers located in Richmond and Virginia Beach, with nearly 726,000 residents living within five miles of these facilities. In Richmond, the Sterilization Services of Virginia facility is linked to elevated cancer risks, with EtO emissions contributing 70 percent of the air toxics cancer risk in its census tract. The area surrounding this facility has a higher concentration of people of color and low-income residents compared to the county average. In Virginia Beach, Lifenet Health owns two sterilizers, one of which was penalized over $64,000 by the EPA for Clean Air Act violations.

GreenLatinos celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the leadership of the Black diaspora in the fight for environmental justice and denouncing colorism within its community. The organization is highlighting Afro-Latine/o/a climate justice leaders through its 'Orgullo Afro-Latine/o/a' series.

The document reports on a survey of 378 CDC scientists conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. While a majority of respondents agreed that the agency adhered to its scientific integrity policy, the findings highlight concerns regarding the omission of politically contentious words from scientific work and the extent to which COVID-19 science consistently informed policy decisions. The report advocates for the passage of the Scientific Integrity Act and strengthened agency policies to protect science from political, ideological, and financial interests.

A survey of 296 EPA scientists conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found that a majority of respondents believe the agency adheres to its scientific integrity policy and that office effectiveness has increased under President Biden compared to the Trump administration. However, the findings also highlight significant issues with staff burnout and concerns over limited workforce capacity and the quality of scientific reviews in specific offices.

A 2022 survey of FDA scientists by the Union of Concerned Scientists indicates a generally positive view of scientific integrity and a higher comfort level in expressing concerns without retaliation compared to previous administrations. While 198 of 239 respondents found agency actions consistent with scientific findings and 177 of 253 felt COVID-19 science informed policy, 50 of 236 scientists reported that senior leaders with conflicts of interest inappropriately influenced decisions.

A 2022 survey of 225 US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) scientists indicates a positive shift in scientific integrity and leadership support compared to previous administrations, though concerns remain regarding workforce diversity and high workloads.

The 2022 survey of NOAA scientists indicates a positive perception of scientific integrity and evidence-based decision-making under the Biden administration, with higher rates of training on scientific integrity policies compared to the Obama and Trump administrations. However, the findings highlight significant concerns regarding a lack of diversity in senior leadership and the scientific workforce, as well as widespread burnout caused by insufficient scientific capacity.

A survey of USDA scientists indicates a generally strong culture of scientific integrity, with 207 out of 238 respondents agreeing the agency adhered to its scientific integrity policy. While 160 out of 258 scientists felt they could express concerns without fear of retaliation, 147 out of 245 reported scientific workforce reductions over the previous two years. Political interference persists, with 38 out of 256 scientists reporting they were asked to omit politically contentious words from their work, though this is a decrease from 67 out of 291 during the Trump administration. Respondents noted that the Biden administration has reinforced commitments to science-based processes for addressing climate change, allowing the use of the term 'climate change' without fear.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) survey of federal scientists in 2022 indicates a general improvement in scientific integrity, morale, and job satisfaction under the Biden administration, particularly at the EPA, FWS, and USDA. While many scientists feel better protected from political interference, significant challenges persist, including critical staff capacity shortages leading to burnout, ongoing issues with censorship, and a lack of diversity in senior leadership at several agencies. The report also highlights the vulnerability of federal scientists to external harassment and bullying, especially those working on COVID-19 and climate change.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) reports that over 14 million people live within five miles of 104 ethylene oxide (EtO)-emitting facilities, with a disproportionate impact on people of color and low-income communities. EtO is a known carcinogen used primarily for medical sterilization, and UCS advocates for stricter EPA emissions controls and the adoption of less toxic alternatives.

The document challenges the National Air Quality Officer's (NAQO) decisions to allow Eskom to delay compliance with emission standards. It argues that such postponements are unlawful under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) and the 2017 National Framework, particularly for plants in the Highveld Priority Area (HPA). The submission provides evidence of Eskom's extensive history of emission exceedances and the resulting health costs, including thousands of projected premature deaths. It further asserts that the technology to abate sulphur dioxide (SO2) is feasible and economically beneficial, contradicting Eskom's claims of impracticality.