In a landmark move for environmental policy, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has unveiled Massachusetts' first environmental justice framework. Outlined as a comprehensive strategy, the plan is designed to embed principles of equity and justice into the work of the Energy Environmental Affairs (EEA) and it's agencies.
Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll expressed their commitment to addressing systemic environmental injustices through a structure grounded in public participation and equitable distribution of resources. "We are addressing systemic environmental injustice by incorporating practices based on equity and inclusion into our everyday work," Governor Healey told mass.gov. Lieutenant Governor Driscoll emphasized the importance of including communities in these efforts, saying, "Our EJ Strategy is a testament to our commitment in ensuring nobody is left behind as we transition to a clean energy economy."
The EJ Strategy will see a revision every three years, with an annual progress report due to start in December 2024. The plan includes several pillars such as community engagement, project impacts analysis, and language access. Secretary of EEA, Rebecca Tepper, who established an Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, underlined the intent behind the strategy: "This Strategy puts concept into action...," according to mass.gov.
Endorsement for the initiative came from various quarters, including Massachusetts State Senator Sal DiDomenico, Dwaign Tyndal, Executive Director of Alternatives for Community and Environment, and Roseann Bongiovanni, Executive Director of GreenRoots. They praised the administration's focus on communities that have long been on the receiving end of environmental hazards. "Ensuring an equitable and just energy transition is non-negotiable," DiDomenico expressed on the mass.gov press release.
EEA's new undersecretary, María Belén Power outlined the progressive nature of the strategy, highlighting the importance of tangible results. "The EJ Strategy allows us to have measurable outcomes and ensure we are achieving our goals and building upon successes year after year," she stated in a statement obtained by mass.gov.
