Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
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2020 National Environmental Justice Conference & Training Program Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times October 20-21, 2020 thenejc.org
NOTICE The National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc., prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Persons who need special accommodations to fully participate in the conference, workshops, or training programs, and persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Conference Coordinator at (202) 827-2224. Due to chemical sensitivities of many people, we are requesting that attendees wear unscented toiletry items. Images of NEJC participants may be captured by conference photographers and published or distributed.
2020 National Environmental Justice Conference & Training Program Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc. Dear Friends and Attendees: We are so pleased you have chosen to join with us at the 2020 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program. Because of COVID-19, our conference and program will be virtual this year. We look forward to seeing you face-to-face in Washington, D.C., next year. It is an honor and privilege to participate in this national gathering of leaders who have come together to engage communities as full partners in collaborative solutions to the many major issues and challenges affecting the nation today. As I write this message, we are in the final seven weeks of a brusing presidential campaign. Environmental regulations have seen rollbacks in recent years. I can think of few, if any, times in our history when our work as an environmental justice (EJ) community is more critical to ensure EJ. Climate change is now embracing climate justice. Moreover, the promise of new legislation in the form of the Environmental Justice Act of 2019, the Environmental Justice for All Act of 2020, and the Climate Equity Act of 2020 bode well for the future. This year’s conference theme, Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times, builds upon the past 13 annual conferences and recognizes the rapidly changing and diversifying landscape in which we live. We have filled these two days with thought-provoking panels and workshops, and numerous opportunities to hear from young people, activists, and others from all over the country who are engaged and committed to the principles of EJ. We have brought together individuals with unique backgrounds and different experiences. We are here because we believe EJ cannot exist without an informed citizenry and informed communities. We are here because we believe all Americans are entitled to live in a healthy environment. And, we are here because we believe that empowerment is the key to advancing any important cause that could improve the lives and quality of life for everyone, especially for those in underserved and underrepresented communities. This conference has done much over the past 13 years to highlight the issue of EJ, but we have more to do in our efforts to prepare our youth and future EJ leaders to take the mantle in developing capacity-building techniques, education, training, outreach, research, policies, collaborations, and projects and activities for today and tomorrow. Thus, as we engage and share knowledge with one another over these two days, I challenge us all to leave this virtual conference with a renewed commitment to continuing cooperation, forging partnerships, and taking advantage of all appropriate opportunities to build and sustain viable safe and healthy communities. Together, we can do great things! We can make a real difference in the lives of millions of our fellow citizens. Sincerely, Benjamin F. Wilson, Esq. Chairman, Board of Directors National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc. 1 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
National Environmental Justice Conference & Training Program Sponsors Kim Lambert NAVARRO Environmental Justice Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Research and Development Office of Civil Rights Office of Environmental Justice 2 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
October 20, 2020 Greetings Everyone, Welcome to the 2020 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program in the nation’s capital. For more than 13 years, NEJC has provided an extraordinary platform for people from the U.S. and abroad to come together and discuss vital issues related to environmental justice, social justice, economic propensity, and much more. As we continue to grow and expand the conference, we know that we must be unwavering in our approach to the difficult conversations, while also defining new and innovative solutions. The impact of the environmental justice movement has played a significant role in the trajectory of American history. Listen and partake in a plethora of forums as speakers contribute their experiences, knowledge, and opinions to a broader, national dialogue. Enjoy! Dr. Kim Lambert, Philanthropist Washington D.C. | Durham, NC www.michaeldbaker.com T: 202-331-0060 MDB is a strategic consulting firm providing environmental science, worker training, public health, and environmental justice mission support to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other clients. Our services include program management and evaluation, program training support, data research and analysis, communications and outreach, program mission support, conference planning and meeting support, facilitation and mediation services, and support to minority academic institutions. Joy Lee Michael Baker Tim Fields 3 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
FULLY FOCUSED We’re not an “everything” law firm. We’re the environmental law firm - fully focused on the environmental, natural resource, and sustainability issues and disputes businesses face today. > Learn more about our work, including our environmental justice practice, at bdlaw.com. AUSTIN, TX • BALTIMORE, MD • BOSTON, MA • NEW YORK, NY SAN FRANCISCO, CA • SEATTLE, WA • WASHINGTON, DC 4 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times AGENDA DAY 1 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks Conference Facilitator/Producer Ms. Carolyn Sawyer Communications Strategist Tom Sawyer Company Mr. Benjamin F. Wilson, Esq. Chairman, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. Chairman, Board of Directors, National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc. Dr. Melinda Downing Environmental Justice Program Manager U.S. Department of Energy Mr. Carlos M. Brown, Esquire Senior Vice President and General Counsel Dominion Energy Services Glen Allen, Virginia 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Panel Educate, Motivate, Innovate: Building the Next Generation of Environmental Justice Leaders (The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice’s “Educate, Motivate and Innovate (EMI) Environmental Justice Initiative”) Joanna Mounce Stancil EMI Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service How Can Plants Enhance Our Quality of Life? This presentation will explore the wonders of nature by emphasizing the ability of plants to increase air quality and remove contaminants from soil and water. We will explore how planting vegetation could enhance the quality of air, water, and soil in Fort Valley, Georgia, to combat EJ issues due to the Blue Bird bus company. Shakeena B. Reeves Senior, Agriculture Economics Fort Valley State University Continued on page 6 5 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
(continued) Community-Led Air Quality Monitoring: Turning Victims into Advocates This project is focused on Pleasantville, Texas, where the lack of zoning laws has affected air qualty — mostly of low-income minority families. Through the use of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) EJSCREEN database, variables were selected to show health risks and air toxins in the area at state and national levels. Gabriella Mabayyed Junior, Biology Tennessee State University Democratizing Geospatial Technology: A Model for Providing Technical Assistance in Community-Based Participatory Mapping to Environmental Justice Stakeholder Communities This presentation will explore how EJ stakeholders themselves are best equipped to produce spatial data visualizations of their communities. The primary goal of this project is the development of a community-based participatory mapping tutorial model that can be replicated for use by grassroots organizations employing geospatial data visualizations to support their efforts to attain and sustain EJ. Olivia J. Harbison Masters, Geographic Information Systems Tennessee State University 6 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
A COMMITMENT THAT GROWS EVERY DAY Powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers and communities is a vital part of our everyday work. We are proud to support the National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program and join in their commitment of promoting environmental stewardship and conservation to our local communities. pepco.com © Potomac Electric Power Company, 2020 Pepco_NEJC_2020_7.5x9.75_Ad.indd 1 3/6/20 1:51 PM 7 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
OUR MISSION STARTS WITH THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. The National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program is a unique opportunity to imagine a better, more just world - and what we can do together to achieve it. It is an honor to support this dialogue. To find out more, visit wm.com 8 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Panel: Paving the Way: Diabetes Supplies for Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico: An innovative, powerful humanitarian approach to assist persons during and after natural disasters. This demonstration project is an example of how effective collaboration can work to marshal resources to address critical health needs in a community at no cost to the federal government. It complements the emergency assistance provided before, during, and after natural disasters by making resources readily available through storage in safe areas for usage as the need arises. This effort serves as a model for other rural communities in areas prone to natural disasters. This panel discussion will convey the authentic relationship between the private and public sectors on their journey to assist persons with diabetes in Puerto Rico still recovering from the 2017 hurricane season in hopes it can shed light on how other U.S. communities affected by natural disasters can duplicate these efforts. Genuine lessons were learned from this project, and they will be used to monitor progress going forward. More importantly, partnerships and high levels of communication in real life contexts were established, and those involved better understand the necessary cultural sensitivity needed when involved with specific locations and associated natural disasters. Dr. Kim Lambert Co-Chair of Rural Communities Committee Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) Carol Atkinson Insulin for Life Dr. Lourdes González Presidenta Colegio de Optómetras de Puerto Rico Diana Wahler Project Coordinator Office of Environmental Justice U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 9 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Panel: Federal Government Capacity Building, Training, and Technical Assistance for Vulnerable Communities in Natural Disaster Preparedness, Response, and/or Recovery This session will provide conference participants with a background on the federal EJ IWG and its Environmental Justice (EJ) and Natural Disasters Subcommittee and its goals and activities. The session will also explore what capacity building, training, technical assistance, or other support government agencies (federal, state, local, and tribal) can provide to vulnerable communities in natural disaster preparedness, response, and/or recovery. Panelists will also discuss coordination between federal government emergency management and EJ offices in supporting at-risk communities related to natural disater preparedness, response, and recovery, and capture model partnerships and alliances between federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and local vulnerable communities to help ensure that EJ perspectives and concerns are incorporated into the disaster response and recovery process for all levels of government. Joseph “Chip” Hughes, Jr. Director, Worker Training Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; and Chair, EJ IWG and Natural Disasters Subcommittee, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina Marsha Minter Associate Director, Office of Environmental Justice U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. Matt Campbell National Coordinator for the Community Planning and Capacity Building Recovery Support Function Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C. Dr. Cheryl Levine Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. Sharon Beard Industrial Hygienist, Worker Training Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 10 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc. is a woman- and minority-owned small business providing support services to government and commercial clients. Consistently ranked a top environmental firm by Engineering News Record, Navarro is proud to be DOE Legacy Management’s prime contractor. Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc. We partner with the Office of Legacy Management to achieve its mission of fulfilling DOE’s post-closure A woman-owned small business responsibilities and ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. Our range of specialized professional and technical services includes: ♦ Environmental remediation and ♦ Surveillance and maintenance deactivation and decommissioning and long-term monitoring ♦ Waste management ♦ Environmental compliance ♦ Nuclear services ♦ Facilities management ♦ Remediation systems operation ♦ National security and optimization For more information, please visit www.Navarro-inc.com 11 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
CSUMB's College of Health Sciences and Human Services is honored to support the National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program. APPLY NOW UPCOMING • Collaborative Health and Human Services, BS • Master of Public Administration • Kinesiology, BS • Master of Public Health • Nursing, BSN • Master of Science in Nursing, MSN • Master of Science Physician Assistant, MSPA • Master of Social Work, MSW www.csumb.edu/chshs WE DELIVER Treating and immobilizing the Savannah River Site’s radioactive liquid waste to keep us all safer Thank You for your continued support. Aiken, South Carolina | www.srremediation.com 12 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
AGENDA DAY 2 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Training This session aims to provide participants with a brief overview of Title VI and a more detailed discussion of the requirement to provide meaningful access to persons with limited-English proficiency. Title VI Committee Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Workshop on Environmental Justice and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Methods The purpose of the workshop is to increase understanding of opportunities to advance consideration of EJ in the NEPA review process. The specific focus is the importance of meaningful engagement and involvement with EJ communities particularly using virtual tools due to the need for social distancing during the pandemic. The goal is to provide information that provides participants with a better understanding of the interconnection between EJ communities, current health, and environmental and economic challenges facing our country from the pandemic. The onset of the pandemic has expedited the need for us to examine and implement different strategies or methods for public engagement based on who we want to reach, engage, and connect with the healthcare and social service sectors. Two tools of the NEPA Committee of the federal EJ IWG, “Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews” (Promising Practices Report) and the “Community Guide to Environmental Justice and NEPA Methods (Community Guide),” a companion document to the Promising Practices Report will be utilized in this session. Continued on page 14 13 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
(continued) The workshop is designed to foster collaboration among the federal family and the public. Ultimately, the workshop will give participants a better knowledge of what practices federal agencies use to evaluate environmental impacts to minority and low-income populations and how citizens can be more effective advocates for their communities in agency decision-making, during the “new normal” under the “new NEPA” regulations. Denise C. Freeman, MS Co-chair, NEPA Committee of the EJ IWG Senior Advisor Environmental Justice Program, Office of Legacy Management U.S. Department of Energy Carolyn L. Nelson, P.E. NEPA Committee of the EJ IWG Civil Engineer, Project Development/Environmental Specialist Office of Project Development and Environmental Review U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration Elizabeth Poole, MS NEPA Committee of the EJ IWG Environmental Scientist U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region V B. Suzi Ruhl, JD, MPH Immediate Past Co-chair, NEPA Committee of the EJ IWG Senior Research Scientist, Elevate Policy Lab Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale Child Study Center 14 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
We’re reducing our carbon emissions by 50%. To lower our carbon footprint and yours. At Dominion Energy, we’re finding innovative ways modular liquefied natural gas to bring clean energy to put natural gas to work to help build a sustainable to areas dependent on carbon-heavy oil. We’re even energy future. We’re re-tooling our natural gas harnessing methane from pig farms as a cleaner source infrastructure to deliver on-demand power to help of renewable energy and using it to power homes. complement our use of wind and solar. And in Fewer greenhouse gases, a lower carbon footprint and areas where pipelines can’t reach, we’re pioneering cleaner air make natural gas a natural choice. 15 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
Study STEM at Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities are available in the following programs: • Aeronoutical & Industrial Technology • Civil Engineering • Agricultural Science • Computer Science • Architectural Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Biology • Mathematics • Chemistry • Mechanical Engineering Learn more by visiting www.tnstate.edu/tlsamp, calling (615) 963-5501, or e-mailing tlsamp@tnstate.edu 16 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Using U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Tools to Meet Low-Income Energy Goals Representatives from the DOE will share resources and data that can help state and local governments, non-profits, and utilities build and expand their low- and moderate-income energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. Participants will learn how DOE’s Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool and resources from the Clean Energy for Low-income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) Online Toolkit can be utilized to assess and address energy burden in their communities. Launched in 2019, the LEAD Tool is an online, interactive platform for users to customize charts and maps of household energy data based on income, energy expenditures, energy burden, fuel type, and housing type across the national, state, county, city, or census tract levels. The LEAD Tool was designed to help stakeholders make data- driven decisions by improving their understanding of low- and moderate-income household energy characteristics in the areas they serve. The CELICA Toolkit provides an overview of resources and models for developing low-income energy efficiency and renewable energy programs based on a two- year partnership with more than 30 stakeholders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Ookie Ma Physical Scientist U.S. Department of Energy Shelby DuPont Fellow, U.S. Department of Energy 4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Closing Remarks and Environmental Justice Awards Presentations Dr. Melinda Downing Environmental Justice Program Manager U.S. Department of Energy 17 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
Here at EPA, we believe that all people have a right to live, work and play in healthy communities. Sign up for the EJ Listserv to learn more about federal grants, resources, tools and trainings related to environmental justice: https://lists.epa.gov/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=epa-ej For direct inquiries, please contact the EJ Hotline at 1.800.962.6215 or by email (ejhotline@epa.gov) https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice 18 Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times
NOTICE: The National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc., prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and sex. Persons who need special accommodations to fully participate in the conference, workshops, or training programs, and persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Conference Coordinator at 202-827-2224. Because of chemical sensitivity of many people, we are requesting that attendees wear unscented toiletry items. Images from this conference may be captured, published and distributed. 19 Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
2020 National Environmental Justice Conference & Training Program Addressing Environmental Justice in Uncertain Times Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance thenejc.org
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