PHILADELPHIA — In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Environmental Justice Executive Order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today highlighted three environmental justice grants in Philadelphia totaling $90,000 to assist overburdened low-income communities in developing solutions to local health and environmental issues, according to a press release.
“EPA’s mission is to protect public health and the environment for all people, no matter who you are or where you come from,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Our Environmental Justice Small Grants are helping to protect vulnerable communities in Philadelphia by equipping them with the know-how and tools to reduce air pollution, water pollution and children’s exposure to lead.”
EPA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of President Clinton signing the Environmental Justice Executive Order on Feb. 11, 1994, which focuses federal attention on the environmental and human health effects of federal actions on minority and low-income populations with the goal to achieve environmental protection for all communities, noted the release.
The grants include $30,000 to: JASTECH Development Services, Inc. to develop a community-based campaign to address toxic substances in local waterways in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia; The Clean Air Council to address public health concerns in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond neighborhood where residents are disproportionately impacted by high levels of air pollution; and Concilio (Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations of Philadelphia) to help reduce children’s exposure to lead poisoning in old, deteriorating homes, reported the release.
According to the release, since 1994, EPA’s environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,400 communities.
Read the full release here.
