EPA Invites Participation in its National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Calls

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited Environmental Justice (EJ) advocates—and the public—to participate in the agency’s National Environmental Justice Community Engagement calls, now happening biweekly, to discuss and receive feedback on all aspects of EJ at EPA with partners and communities. It would behoove hot-mix asphalt producers to be involved.

“The voice of communities is what centers and drives our efforts to advance environmental justice at EPA,” Office of Environmental Justice Director Matthew Tejada said. “Our mission to protect the health and environments of everyone in the United States can only be achieved if we listen to and engage with communities who have not received the same level of protection. Given the historic mandate of the Biden-Harris Administration and Administrator Regan’s leadership, these calls are a direct line for EPA to hear from communities.”

By increasing the community engagement calls from quarterly to biweekly, EPA will further encourage an open dialogue with EJ leaders and advocates. These meetings not only serve as an opportunity to give an update on EPA’s EJ work and its resources, but also to listen and learn from communities, partners and stakeholders. Additionally, the biweekly community engagement calls speak to the agency’s commitment to the Justice40 initiative, which vows to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to disadvantaged communities.

To see the calendar for upcoming calls, register for upcoming calls, and view meeting materials for past calls, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/national-environmental-justice-community-engagement-calls. You can also follow the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice on Twitter (@EPAEnvJustice) and subscribe to the EPA’s EJ listserv by sending a blank email to join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov.