The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released its plan to asses the difficulties populations of underserved communities have in accessing federal benefits and opportunities.
According to an April 14 news release, the Equity Action Plan is being launched to fulfill executive order 13985 by President Joe Biden, ordering federal agencies to investigate whether populations of underserved communities face systemic barriers in accessing federal benefits.
“This Equity Action Plan is a strong example of how EPA works with our federal partners to deliver on the commitments set forth by the Biden-Harris administration,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. “EPA is working to live up to its promise to protect human health and the environment made to all people in our country more than 50 years ago. We can only do this by acknowledging the adverse effects of policies and regulations that have historically kept too many communities out of the room and leading the way in breaking down the barriers that have stood for far too long.”
The Equity Action Plan was included in the EPA's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, the news release reported. It's the first time the agency included a goal to advance environmental justice and civil rights.
According to the release, the plan seeks to build a rapport with underserved communities, seek more equitable outcomes and achieve pollution reduction in underserved communities.
