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Environmental justice (EJ) continues to evolve as states respond to shifting federal priorities and community needs. New Jersey has emerged as a leader, integrating equity considerations into core environmental programs, supported by its landmark 2020 EJ law and a long-standing emphasis on strong environmental protections.
In the 14th episode of "Groundtruth," New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette joins Principal Hilary Jacobs (Washington, DC) and Of Counsel Justin Smith (Washington, DC) to discuss how the state is operationalizing EJ, measuring progress, and adapting to the major changes in federal policy and funding with the new Administration. Commissioner LaTourette outlines how New Jersey incorporates EJ into decision-making, the practical work of translating EJ principles into concrete, data-driven actions, and the challenges of aligning state and federal roles. The conversation also explores support for community-based organizations, funding constraints, and how businesses can navigate evolving EJ frameworks.
"It's one thing to say that we're going to look at something through an environmental justice lens, or through an equity lens, whatever folks may mean by that. It's one thing to say those words. It's another thing entirely to perform that work, and it takes such a degree of systemic reformation and even departmental and personnel reorganization in order to advance imperatives like this."
— Commissioner LaTourette
"Groundtruth" is a podcast series, produced in partnership with the Environmental Law Institute's People Places Planet Podcast, that explores EJ trends and developments.Listen to other "Groundtruth" episodes:
- Episode 1: "New Jersey's Environmental Justice Law"
- Episode 2: "State Stories – Passing Environmental Justice Legislation"
- Episode 3: "All of Industry – Corporate Approaches to Advancing Environmental Justice"
- Episode 4: "Operationalizing Environmental Justice"
- Episode 5: "Environmental Justice in 2022 - Perspectives From EPA"
- Episode 6: "Meet EJ Leader & Advocate, Ben Wilson"
- Episode 7: "EJ & ESG, Intersected"
- Episode 8: "17 Principles of Environmental Justice—30 Years Later"
- Episode 9: "Environmental Justice in the International Arena"
- Episode 10: "Implementing New Jersey's Environmental Justice Law"
- Episode 11: "Cultural Burns as Tools for Wildfire Prevention and Indigenous Healing"
- Episode 12: "Valuing Lived Experience and Fostering Meaningful Community Engagement"
- Episode 13: "Cumulative Impact Analysis - Massachusetts, EPA, and Beyond"
Associate Audra Gale (New York) also led the content development for this episode. Follow The Environmental Law Podcast on Spotify or your preferred podcast app. To receive B&D's updates on developments and trends in environmental law and litigation, subscribe to our email list here or follow us on LinkedIn.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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