Washington, D.C. —

The Equitable and Just National Climate Platform (EJNCP), a coalition of environmental justice and national environmental groups, released the following statement in response to a permitting proposal under discussion between Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Congressional leadership. The proposal, which was leaked to the media and carried a watermark from the American Petroleum Institute — a fossil fuel trade association — would needlessly expedite permits and limit environmental review of pipeline projects, as well as force the approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, among other fossil fuel friendly provisions:

“This proposal is a gift to the fossil fuel industry that threatens to undercut a just and equitable pollution free energy transition. We must urgently build out renewable energy, and a thorough environmental review process must be at the center of ambitious renewable energy deployment. Communities must have a voice in federal decision-making in order to repair this country’s legacy of environmental injustice and to create an energy future that works for everyone.

“The National Environmental Policy Act is a critical tool to ensure that environmental justice communities are included throughout the process as we build pollution free energy infrastructure in a just, equitable, sustainable, and timely way. We know that inclusive and well-resourced permitting processes work to advance environmental justice and our climate goals. We oppose any attempt by the fossil fuel industry to undermine public participation, access to the courts, and environmental review in an effort to benefit polluters — which would exacerbate environmental burdens and public health risks for communities.

“We strongly oppose any effort to perpetuate fossil fuel harms and silence community voices. Congress should focus instead on passing the Environmental Justice for All Act, which clarifies how agencies consider and address the cumulative, and often disproportionate, impacts from project development in communities of color and low-income communities. This will ensure projects proceed not just efficiently, but equitably, in the communities where it matters most.”

EJNCP Members signed on to the statement:

• Center for American Progress
• Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy
• Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
• Earthjustice
• East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice
• Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform
• Green Door Initiative
• Harambee House, Inc. / Citizens for Environmental Justice
• John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research, Kean University
• League of Conservation Voters
• Los Jardines Institute
• Midwest Environmental Justice Network
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance
• ReGenesis Institute
• Sierra Club
• Tishman Environment and Design Center, The New School
• Union of Concerned Scientists
• WE ACT for Environmental Justice

The Equitable & Just National Climate Platform launched on July 17, 2019. In 2019, signatories to the platform achieved consensus on a historic plan calling for national climate action that confronts racial, economic, and environmental injustice as it enacts deep cuts in climate pollution and accelerates a pollution-free energy future that benefits all communities. Members include leaders from 13 environmental justice organizations and six national environmental groups. Learn more about the Equitable & Just National Climate Platform.