On April 20, 2018, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 23 (the “Order”), which strengthens the administration’s commitment to protecting the environment while emphasizing the importance of environmental justice. Environmental justice focuses on ensuring residents of all communities receive fair and equitable treatment in decision-making that impacts the environment, communities, homes and health.
The Governor has ordered and directed:
- The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) shall develop guidance for all executive branch departments and agencies to consider environmental justice in implementing statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
- The Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC), created within the DEP, is to continue beyond the December 2018 expiration date to coordinate with DEP and the Office of Environmental Justice to provide advice and guidance to executive branch departments and agencies.
Executive Order No. 23 takes effect immediately. The DEP will issue a first draft of the guidance required under the Order within six months. The final guidance will be completed 90 days after the first draft is submitted. The final guidance will be published on the DEP’s website.
If you have any questions about how the above actions may impact your business, please contact Connell Foley’s Environmental Law Group.
