Jan 23 -- The comment period for the RFI published November 20, 2023, at 88 FR 80697, is extended. Comments should be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 22, 2024.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-01270
Nov 20 -- The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is issuing this request for information (RFI) to solicit feedback on Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, which will inform future versions of the Environmental Justice Scorecard. CEQ seeks any comments by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 19, 2024.
Since day one, President Biden has prioritized environmental justice by launching a whole-of-government effort to confront longstanding environmental injustices and inequities. The Environmental Justice Scorecard,
https://ejscorecard.geoplatform.gov/scorecard/, is a signature component of this commitment. It is the first-ever government-wide assessment of what the Federal Government is doing to advance environmental justice. The Environmental Justice Scorecard was created at the direction of President Biden pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27, 2021). The goals of the Environmental Justice Scorecard include to assess the Federal Government's progress on advancing environmental justice, to provide transparency for the public, and to increase accountability for Federal agencies.
The first version of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, or the Phase One Scorecard, was launched the same day that President Biden signed Executive Order 14096 on Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All (April 21, 2023). This Executive Order further embeds environmental justice into the work of Federal agencies to achieve real, measurable progress that communities can count on. Among other things, E.O. 14096 defines “environmental justice” as the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people: (i) are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers; and (ii) have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment in which to live, play, work, learn, grow, worship, and engage in cultural and subsistence practices.
Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard presents a baseline assessment of actions taken by Federal agencies in 2021 and 2022 to help achieve the Biden-Harris Administration's environmental justice goals. It reports on the progress of 24 Federal agencies in the following categories:
-- Advancing the President's Justice40 Initiative
-- Implementing and enforcing environmental and civil rights laws; and
-- Embedding environmental justice throughout the Federal Government.
The docket for this RFI includes supplementary material that presents metrics used in the Phase One Scorecard. The specific metrics and actions included for Federal agencies vary based on the type, size, and mission of each agency. For example, some but not all of the Federal agencies participating in the Phase One Scorecard are members of the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council (IAC) and some but not all have Justice40 covered programs. If data are unavailable for a Federal agency, the corresponding metrics do not appear on that agency's page.
The Phase One Scorecard was developed by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with CEQ and the IAC. It was informed by recommendations and feedback from environmental justice stakeholders and experts. In particular, recommendations from the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) and public comments informed its development, including from a Request for Information published in the Federal Register in August 2022.
The Phase One Scorecard provides a valuable snapshot of key environmental justice work in progress at a particular point in time, based on available data and metrics. The Environmental Justice Scorecard will be updated annually, with the goal of creating a durable, robust, and comprehensive tool to assess and demonstrate the Federal Government's efforts to secure environmental justice for all.
This RFI is part of the Administration's commitment to ensuring that environmental justice efforts within the Federal Government, including the development of future versions of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, are informed by the priorities and perspectives of the public, including communities with environmental justice concerns. By soliciting input through this RFI, CEQ and OMB seek input from the public in shaping the vision and goals for the Environmental Justice Scorecard and welcome ideas on ways to improve the public's ability to monitor the Federal Government's progress and hold the Federal Government accountable for delivering results in advancing environmental justice for all.
CEQ and OMB seek feedback on the public's experiences using Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, as well as input for future versions of the Environmental Justice Scorecard. Input may be offered on any aspect of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, but is particularly welcome in response to these questions: . . .
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-25508