White House releases historic guidance for environmental justice investments

Yesterday, the Biden administration released a first-of-its-kind guidance document to ensure the benefits of federal investment reach environmental justice communities.

The new “Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative” provides recommendations to federal agencies regarding how to achieve the Biden administration’s promise to deliver at least 40 percent of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities (known as the Justice40 Initiative). The guidance was informed by the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, on which Appalachian Voices Executive Director Tom Cormons serves as a member.

“It is critical that our federal government prioritize investments in Black, Indigenous and low-income communities to revitalize communities and protect public health and the environment from pollution and the disproportionate impacts of climate change,” said Cormons. “This new guidance is a concrete step toward refocusing federal investment in a way that benefits the communities that need it the most, and demonstrates that the administration is listening to impacted community stakeholders through White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Appalachian Voices looks forward to continuing to engage with the administration to ensure that proposed stakeholder consultation and community investments are as impactful as possible.”

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Appalachian Voices is a leading nonprofit advocate for a healthy environment and just economy in the Appalachian region, and a driving force in America’s shift from fossil fuels to a clean energy future.