The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) have unveiled a two-year action plan aimed at addressing environmental justice issues in California through collaborative enforcement efforts. The plan, which is part of a groundbreaking federal-state partnership initiated in 2021, focuses on protecting public health and the environment in overburdened communities across the state.
Martha Guzman, the EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator, expressed pride in the ongoing partnership with CalEPA, stating, “We are proud to continue this groundbreaking partnership with CalEPA to help ensure cleaner air, water and land for underserved communities across California.”
Yana Garcia, CalEPA Secretary, highlighted the agency's commitment to working closely with community partners, stating, “CalEPA has long committed to working closely with community partners to understand and best respond to enforcement and compliance challenges impacting their health and wellbeing.”
The 2024/2025 Environmental Justice Enforcement Action Plan includes a renewed commitment to engage with community forums in various regions, continued use of rapid response task forces, increased transparency for the public, and strengthened connections between agencies and communities. The plan emphasizes a community-first approach to enforcement, with a focus on addressing community concerns, following up on complaints, and seeking solutions across environmental areas.
Local successes from the partnership include responding to a fire at Radius Recycling in Oakland, addressing illegal dumping in Fresno County, involving community participation in emergency response planning in Torrance, and identifying focus areas with environmental justice concerns in the Mid-Alameda Corridor in Los Angeles.
The agencies aim to hold facilities accountable through civil and criminal enforcement actions, as well as referrals to appropriate authorities when necessary. By working together and leveraging shared resources, EPA and CalEPA seek to improve air, water, and soil quality in California communities while ensuring corporate polluters are held accountable.
To learn more about the 2024/2025 Environmental Justice Enforcement Action Plan, visit EPA’s website. Additionally, information on the implementation of the previous Action Plan can be found on CalEPA’s website.
