Biden Signs Executive Order Prioritizing Environmental Justice

Biden signs a new executive order prioritizing environmental justice
The order would create a new Office of Environmental Justice in the White House
It would direct agencies to invest in disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change

United States President Joe Biden signed a new executive order telling agencies to prioritize environmental justice, directing them to invest in disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.

The new order would result in the creation of a new Office of Environmental Justice in the White House that would be responsible for coordinating all environmental justice efforts among federal agencies. It would also require them to notify any nearby communities if toxic substances have been released from a federal activity.

Executive Order Prioritizing Environmental Justice

Biden, who is set to formally announce a re-election bid next week, announced the new executive order at the Rose Garden of the White House. His remarks also included criticizing Republican lawmakers for allegedly "safeguarding handouts for Big Oil companies" and "fighting to make it easier for oil and gas companies to pollute the air we breathe," as per CNBC.

The Democratic leader argued that his administration's historic environmental justice and climate agenda contrasted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's and his caucus' dangerous vision for the planet, the economy, and the public's health.

GOP officials have repeatedly called for weaker regulation over oil production in an attempt to lower energy prices. This comes as McCarthy proposed lifting the country's debt limit for one year to cut back on federal spending earlier this week. These include repealing electric vehicles and several other clean energy tax incentives under Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.

In the early stage of Biden's presidency, he pledged to address environmental justice as one of the core components of his agenda to fight climate change. He also signed an executive order that launched the Justice40 Initiative. It required various federal agencies to meet the delivery requirement of at least 40% of benefits from investments to specific communities.

Joe Biden's Agenda To Fight Climate Change

The order comes as the White House said that Biden wants to ensure that poverty, race, and ethnic status do not factor in a worsening exposure to pollution and environmental harm. The Democratic leader said that environmental justice would become a mission of the entire US government, according to the Associated Press,

Biden noted that it would be instilled in how lawmakers work with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Following the order, federal agencies will use data and scientific research to determine how pollution impacts people's health.

This data would be used to conduct work that seeks to limit any damage citizens could experience. As part of Biden's announcement, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Miami, Florida, hoping to announce a $562 million fund to protect communities from climate change impacts.

The new executive order comes after the Biden administration planned to roll out new rules to regulate planet-warming pollution from natural gas power plants. However, CNN said these plans could face intense legal challenges from the opposition.