The National Association of Clean Air Agencies (“NACAA”) published a September 2021 report titled:
Environmental Justice Survey Report (“Report”)
The Report documents the results of a survey the NACAA conducted of its members addressing issues, challenges and successes related to environmental justice (“EJ”)
NACAA describes itself as the national, nonpartisan, non-profit association of air pollution control agencies in 41 states, including 15 local air agencies, the District of Columbia and four territories.
The Report states that one-third of the agencies in NACAA responded. The response included 22 states and 23 local agencies.
A focus of the Report was agency programs.
The survey included 33 questions addressing:
. . . agency programs that target EJ outcomes, as well as concerns, barriers, growth areas, and successes.
Conclusions drawn from the survey are stated to include:
- Agencies are active on EJ
- But many are taking action without dedicated staff, budget, or policy support
- Many agencies have procedures to identify and work with EJ communities
- But EJ is not always the determining factor in agency decisions
- Diversity and inclusion at agencies is making a difference
- Agencies perceive benefits, but most do not measure them
- Funding and resources would especially help
- EJ efforts extend beyond air agencies’ usual roles
The Report states that the NACAA can assist state and local air agencies in such efforts by facilitating the sharing of experiences and best practices amongst the members.
A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.
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