ReImagine Appalachia’s Faith in Action group organized a webinar this past Spring entitled Environmental Justice for All: Ensuring Equity and Benefits Across Our Most Climate-Impacted Communities.

The webinar highlights the numerous tools and initiatives available that have the potential to bring substantial funding to Appalachian communities and drive positive change.

However, it’s crucial for individuals, as well as organizations, to understand the specifics of these initiatives and tools in order to best benefit their communities.

The speakers included--

-- Amani Reid, PA DEP Office of Environmental Justice

-- Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Appalachia Coalition/ Ohioans For Sustainable Change

-- Samantha Beers, EPA Region 3 Office of Communities, Tribes & Environmental Assessment

-- Angus Welch, EPA

-- Felecia Bute, Climate Reality Project Pittsburgh

While equality assumes that everyone receives the same support and equal treatment regardless of their individual needs, and equity ensures that individuals receive personalized support tailored to their specific needs, Environmental Justice goes a step further.

By understanding that these issues impede civil rights, Environmental Justice addresses the underlying causes of inequity and removing systematic barriers.

In order to effectively approach Environmental Justice, we must dismantle the colonized narrative of Appalachia and center solutions around the lived experiences of marginalized Appalachians.

All of our voices must be heard. Regardless of faith, we all have the belief that we hold to be true; we must work from a place of belief so that we can fight relentlessly for a better, more just world.

Click Here to watch the webinar (Facebook).  [Bottom of page]

Click Here for the resources discussed in the webinar.

Visit ReImagine Appalachia for more information on how a 21st century economy can work for the people of Appalachia.

DEP Environmental Justice Proposal:

-- New DEP Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy, Definition Of Environmental Justice Areas Effective Sept. 16; Public Comments Accepted Thru Oct. 29  [PaEN]

NewsClips This Week - Clean Energy:

-- BCTV.org: Funding Available In Met-Ed, Penelec Service Territories For Sustainable Energy Projects

-- Environmental Defense Fund Blog: Pennsylvania Needs To Act Now To Build Our Future Clean Energy Economy

-- The Center Square: Solar Power Comes To University Of Pittsburgh Campus

-- TribLive: Sen. Casey Hopes Tax Credits For Clean Energy Projects Can Boost PA’s Coal Communities

Related Articles This Week - Clean Energy:

-- Funding Now Available For Energy Efficiency, Farm Conservation Projects Thru DEP’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program  [PaEN]

-- PA Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Now Accepting Applications  [PaEN]

-- DEP Now Accepting Applications For $2.6 Million In PA Clean Diesel Grants  [PaEN]

-- 15 Western PA Environmental Organizations Call On Gov. Shapiro To Implement RGGI  [PaEN]

-- PUC To Invite Public Comment On Proposed Policy Statement On Use Of Electric Storage To Enhance Grid Reliability And Resilience  [PaEN]

-- Air & Waste Management Assn. Annual Symposium To Focus On Electric Power Transformation - Energy, Environment, Policy & Technology Sept. 26-27 In Pittsburgh  [PaEN]

-- On Demand: ReImagine Appalachia Faith In Action: Environmental Justice For All - Ensuring Equity And Benefits Across Our Most Climate-Impacted Communities  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 23, 2023]

8/28/2023