More residents in the state will be protected by environmental regulations enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Marie Cusick reports: "The state Department of Environmental Protection is expanding the number of people who are considered to live in an environmental justice area — a designation aimed at protecting poor and minority communities that often bear the brunt of industrial development and pollution."
The policy change amounts to a change in the unit of measure used to decide the environmental justice area. The state is ditching the census tract for the census block group. Now, nearly a third of the state's population lives in an environmental justice area.
"Applications for certain things in EJ areas — like landfills or coal mines — are on a 'trigger permit list' and get more scrutiny from the state Department of Environmental Protection," explains Cusick. The policy change grew out of a year of public engagement by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as the Marcellus Shale industry continues to open new facilities.
Read the full story: With policy change, nearly a third of Pennsylvanians live in ‘environmental justice’ areas
Biden’s Environmental Legacy (So Far)
President Biden campaigned on promises to restore many of the environmental regulations rolled back by the previous administration, while promising new efforts to tackle environmental injustice and climate change.
The Trump Administration's Environmental Policies Have Consequences for Black Lives
A Trump administration decision not to tighten Clean Air Act restrictions on soot pollution will have more consequences for Black Americans.
Building a Just Energy Transition
A new book outlines a “four-plus pillars” framework for phasing out fossil fuels while addressing systemic inequities, emphasizing public support, dedicated funding, economic diversification, coalitions, and reforms that dismantle extractive systems.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority