As covered recently on Conduit Street, counties and municipalities looking to promote and further environmental justice (EJ) are experiencing some challenges and some support when it comes to their state and federal partners. Recent federal administration actions have rolled back and even eliminated grant funding for EJ programs, while the US Supreme Court additionally narrowed the scope of federal environmental impact reviews. Under these circumstances, local governments looking to protect land and communities from adverse environmental…

Brookings and other institutions are helping local governments and residents track federal policy and regulations that effect environmental justice nationwide as roll backs and court cases continue amongst local efforts to implement equitable strategies. A number of education based and research agencies, including the Brookings Institution, have been tracking the effects of regulations, policies, and other federal actions that affect communities' exposure to environmental pollution. This includes public health protections for workers, pollution standards for…