President Biden's Justice40 Initiative: A Commitment to Environmental Justice and Economic Opportunity

Strategic Insights -

President Biden's historic commitment to environmental justice has been demonstrated through the creation of the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments are delivered to disadvantaged communities. The initiative utilizes hundreds of federal programs, representing billions of dollars in annual investment, to maximize benefits to these communities.

The Administration for Children and Families, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health are among the federal agencies participating in the Justice40 Initiative. The initiative has identified 13 programs that will help communities find relief from pollution and climate-related events impacting people's health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Justice40 Initiative aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments are delivered to disadvantaged communities.
  • The initiative utilizes hundreds of federal programs, representing billions of dollars in annual investment, to maximize benefits to these communities.
  • The Administration for Children and Families, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health are among the federal agencies participating in the Justice40 Initiative.
  • The initiative has identified 13 programs that will help communities find relief from pollution and climate-related events impacting people's health.
  • The Environmental Career Worker Training Program (ECWTP) focuses on delivering comprehensive training to increase the number of disadvantaged and underrepresented workers in areas such as environmental restoration, construction, hazardous materials/waste handling, and emergency response.
  • The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep households safe and healthy through initiatives that assist households with energy costs.
  • The Sanitation Facilities Construction Program is responsible for the delivery of environmental engineering services and sanitation facilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program provides funds to assist low-income households with paying past due bills and rates charged to the household for drinking water and wastewater services.
  • The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is designed to help low-income individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency by providing assistance with employment, education, housing, and emergency services.
  • The Community Economic Development (CED) program funding Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families through business development and employment opportunities.
  • The Rural Community Development (RCD) program works with multi-state, regional, private, non-profit organizations and tribal organizations to manage safe water systems in rural communities.
  • The Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI) is helping grant recipients use the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework to identify likely climate impacts and develop health adaptation plans.
  • The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are a national network of clinical environmental health specialists that provide medical advice on exposure to hazardous substances affecting reproductive and children's health.
  • The Partnership to Promote Local Efforts to Reduce Environmental Exposure (APPLETREE) Cooperative Agreement Program funds partner organizations to build their capacity to assess and respond to site-specific issues involving human exposure to hazardous substances.

Statistics:

  • Since 1995, the Environmental Career Worker Training Program (ECWTP) has provided pre-employment and health and safety training to thousands of people from underserved communities nationwide.
  • The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs.
  • The Sanitation Facilities Construction (SFC) Program provides American Indian and Alaska Native homes and communities with essential water supply, sewage disposal, and solid waste disposal facilities.
  • The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides funds to assist low-income households with paying past due bills and rates charged to the household for drinking water and wastewater services.
  • The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) has been assisting low-income individuals and families since 1973.
  • The Community Economic Development (CED) program has been funding Community Development Corporations (CDCs) since 1980.
  • The Rural Community Development (RCD) program has been working with multi-state, regional, private, non-profit organizations and tribal organizations since 1993.
  • The Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI) has been helping grant recipients use the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework since 2017.
  • The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) have been providing medical advice on exposure to hazardous substances affecting reproductive and children's health since 2001.

Sources:

  • US Department of Health and Human Services, "Justice40 Initiative"
  • Administration for Children and Families, "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)"
  • Indian Health Service, "Sanitation Facilities Construction (SFC) Program"
  • Administration for Children and Families, "Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)"
  • Administration for Children and Families, "Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)"
  • Administration for Children and Families, "Community Economic Development (CED) Program"
  • Administration for Children and Families, "Rural Community Development (RCD) Program"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI)"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs)"
  • Federal Register, "Justice40 Initiative: Final Rule"