ISSUE:
Low-income communities and communities of color are exposed to disproportionate amounts of environmental pollutants.

Research reveals that low-income communities and communities of color often bear unfair environmental burdens that jeopardize the health of their families. In New York, these citizens are exposed to disproportionate amounts of environmental pollutants and are forced to live in close proximity of toxic sites and hazardous power plants.

As a first step in ensuring all New Yorkers equal environmental protection, the state of New York should undertake environmental justice analyses in communities at risk of being disproportionately burdened. The state should also grant them equal access to its decision-making processes.

NYS ACTIONS:

In 2003, the commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued an agency policy on environmental justice . While an important effort, it is far too limited in scope.