Bill Overview
Title: Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Justice's Office of Environmental Justice. It also establishes grants to improve the capacity of state, local, and tribal governments to enforce environmental laws involving environmental justice matters.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in communities disproportionately affected by environmental injustices
Estimated Size: 30000000
- Environmental justice focuses on ensuring the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.
- Historically marginalized communities often bear a disproportionate number of environmental burdens.
- Improving the capacity of governments to enforce environmental laws can lead to better health outcomes, cleaner environments, and improved quality of life for these communities.
- Globally, numerous communities face environmental injustices, including in both urban and rural settings across diverse geographies.
Reasoning
- Environmental Justice efforts primarily impact communities historically burdened with pollution and poor enforcement of environmental regulations. The included interviews will focus on communities that vary based on economic status, urban and rural settings, and demographic diversity.
- The policy budget implies that not all communities can be affected at once; thus, the targeting must be strategic and gradual, based on immediate need and potential for improvement.
- Factors like location (e.g., proximity to industrial areas), economic status, and previous government enforcement will strongly influence the degree of impact of this policy.
- While some individuals might be directly impacted by improved environmental conditions (e.g., cleaner air, access to safe water), others might benefit indirectly (e.g., increased property value or health outcomes), or not at all if they are already in well-regulated areas.
- The distribution of resources and capacity building efforts are likely to result in varying perceptions, with differences seen between those who directly oversee enforcement and community members experiencing the environment.
Simulated Interviews
Community Organizer (Flint, Michigan)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy brings real change. We've been overlooked for too long, and the impacts on our health are undeniable.
- The grants could really help our local government hold polluters accountable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Factory Worker (Port Arthur, Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've seen pollution get worse. Better enforcement could mean a safer environment for my family.
- I worry about job impacts if regulations get stricter.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Environmental Lawyer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The establishment of an Office of Environmental Justice is a massive step forward.
- Grants could enable more lawsuits and stricter compliance checks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Appalachian region, Kentucky)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could address years of neglect in our region.
- It's crucial that they monitor mining impacts better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Urban Planner (Brooklyn, New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Environmental justice requires better resource allocation, and this policy could help address it.
- I see this as a way to empower community-driven solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
School Teacher (Rural Alabama)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd hope this policy brings cleaner air and water, essential for our kids.
- Local governments need the support to enforce real change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cleaner environments can enhance business prospects, but I'm cautious about potential cost increases due to stricter regulations.
- Overall, I support the policy if it helps our communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tribal Advocate (San Juan County, New Mexico)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enforcing environmental laws can finally put an end to the ongoing neglect of tribal lands.
- Protection of our heritage sites is paramount, and this policy could help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Legal support to protect water resources is key for my livelihood.
- I hope this policy will support sustainable farming practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could be a game-changer for urban resilience.
- The emphasis on enforcement could finally address longstanding environmental health issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial setup costs of the Office of Environmental Justice.
- Long-term monitoring and compliance oversight needs.
- State, local, and tribal governments' capacity to administer and effectively use grant funding.
- Potential for leveraging additional state and private investments into affected communities.