How Biden's Environmental Justice Order Might Work

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The President ordered 40 percent of the benefits from federal climate action go to disadvantaged communities

For decades, government officials have too often ignored front-line communities when it comes to pollution protection and public amenities. President Biden has given three top White House officials until May 27 to figure out how to fix that.

In a climate-focused executive order issued Jan. 27, Biden set a high bar for Cecilia Martinez, incoming White House Council on Environmental Quality senior director for environmental justice; Neera Tanden, Office of Management and Budget director nominee; and Gina McCarthy, White House domestic climate adviser.

They were given 120 days to formulate recommendations to meet a "goal that 40% of overall benefits flow to disadvantaged communities" from "certain federal investments" in areas such as clean energy and energy efficiency, public transit, and affordable and sustainable housing.

The 40% directive appears to cover spending from future legislation — such as Biden's proposed economic recovery and infrastructure packages — as well as existing federal programs. Agency heads would have 60 days to start to incorporate that guidance into their programs after the White House trio releases its results.

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If the commitment were simply to direct 40% of spending to disadvantaged communities, that would require only that the White House establish an investment baseline for new and existing spending and reserve 40% of that for target communities.

But assessing "benefits" in the amount of 40% is more complicated, environmental justice experts say, and demands the creation of distinct and credible metrics to value benefits from investments in programs with missions as diverse as health care, pollution abatement, employment and affordable housing.

Fortunately, Biden has an in-house expert in Martinez.


Much more: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-bidens-environmental-justice-order-might-work/