Environmental Racism Brad Dougherty Joe Tucci

Overview What is Environmental Racism? Gives environmental agencies too much power Detrimental to poor communities Prevents companies from expanding their business in the United States

What is Environmental Racism?

Gives environmental agencies too much power

Detrimental to poor communities

Prevents companies from expanding their business in the United States

Environmental Racism “Decisions that restrict certain people or groups of people to polluted or degraded environments on the basis of race.” -from Environmental Racism by William P. Cunningham. Published by McGraw Hill

“Decisions that restrict certain people or groups of people to polluted or degraded environments on the basis of race.”

-from Environmental Racism by William P. Cunningham. Published by McGraw Hill

History of Environmental Racism “Environmental Justice” Consider economic and health needs of poor communities Established the “disparate impact” standard Disparate Impact Unlike “discriminatory intent” Only requires evidence of an “effect” of discriminating

“Environmental Justice”

Consider economic and health needs of poor communities

Established the “disparate impact” standard

Disparate Impact

Unlike “discriminatory intent”

Only requires evidence of an “effect” of discriminating

Environmental Laws Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Loose interpretation of law Federal intervention in local issues

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Loose interpretation of law

Federal intervention in local issues

Low-income Families Some EJ laws contradict others in place to benefit low-income families Low-income housing Federal job programs Cleanup of low-income and minority areas

Some EJ laws contradict others in place to benefit low-income families

Low-income housing

Federal job programs

Cleanup of low-income and minority areas

Economic Growth Blocking economic growth in places that need it Forcing companies to relocate elsewhere and even overseas The rich get richer and the poor get poorer

Blocking economic growth in places that need it

Forcing companies to relocate elsewhere and even overseas

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer

Shintech $700 million plant in Romeville, Louisiana Passed all state and federal emissions tests Agreed to hire 35% of labor force locally and use local construction companies $5.8 million to schools from taxes But they were going to be in a predominately black area, so Greenpeace prevented construction

$700 million plant in Romeville, Louisiana

Passed all state and federal emissions tests

Agreed to hire 35% of labor force locally and use local construction companies

$5.8 million to schools from taxes

But they were going to be in a predominately black area, so Greenpeace prevented construction

Shintech Relocation

Groups against EPA Environmental Council of States National Association of Counties The National Association of Black Officials 14 Attorney Generals Western Governor’s Association U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Black Chamber of Commerce 17 States

Environmental Council of States

National Association of Counties

The National Association of Black Officials

14 Attorney Generals

Western Governor’s Association

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

National Black Chamber of Commerce

17 States