Environmental Justice

Objective

Ensure that the environmental justice program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is within the agency's statutory authority to administer the environmental laws of the nation and contain the agency's attempts to establish policy that exceeds its statutory authority.

Summary of the Issue

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the regulatory process regardless of race, ethnicity, or income. In addition, the U.S. Chamber supports an open and informed dialogue with all stakeholders about the regulatory decisions that affect local communities.

Environmental justice advocates allege that a disproportionate number of industrial facilities are located in minority and low-income communities, and that adverse, disparate environmental impacts are imposed on these residents by allowing such facilities to open in these areas. Accordingly, EPA seeks to prevent the industrial development of communities based upon their racial or economic makeup.

The U.S. Chamber opposes the imposition of regulatory requirements that exceed the specific statutes under which an agency operates. A business must know that when it applies to an agency for a permit, license, or registration, it can reasonably foresee the regulatory requirements with which it must comply. The environmental justice program introduces intolerable uncertainty into the regulatory process, however, and ultimately prevents economic development in the most disadvantaged communities in the nation. This program directly contradicts federal programs designed to encourage businesses to locate in inner cities and underdeveloped areas. In turn, employment, economic opportunity, and upward mobility are denied to the most disadvantaged Americans. For these and other reasons, mayors, state environmental officials, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, and the business community oppose the environmental justice program.

U.S. Chamber Strategy

• Encourage economic development opportunities in the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
  
• Continue efforts with the National Black Chamber of Commerce and others to oppose environmental justice restrictions on economic development projects.
  
• Oppose government programs that allow federal agencies to exceed their statutory authority.
  
• Ensure that environmental and health decisions are based upon sound science and valid risk assessments.

Staff Contact Information

Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs Division
(202) 463-5533
environment@uschamber.com