Briefing to highlight community findings and recommendations to ensure that agencies advance environmental justice
Frontline communities hit first and worst by the climate crisis in Washington State continue to track and analyze implementation of our state’s major climate and environmental policies. Last month, Front and Centered released an assessment of the actual allocation of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funds being directed to overburdened communities.
In the 2024 Supplemental Budget that the state Legislature passed this year, $1.3 billion came from additional CCA revenue generated through cap-and-trade auctions. In our second year of budget analysis and using updated methodology that better distinguishes the intent behind budget provisos, we found that only 14.6% of the additional CCA revenue is directed to Vulnerable Populations within Overburdened Communities. This falls well short of the 35% requirement and 40% goal established in the CCA. The responsibility now falls on state agencies to rectify the legislature’s shortcomings and prioritize the allocation of benefits to Overburdened Communities.
Today, our coalition is launching the 2024 Frontline Report on HEAL Progress, which assesses agency implementation of the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, a landmark bill that defines “environmental justice” in state law and expands opportunities for community collaborative governance (co-governance). Our report highlights a disconnect between how community members and state agencies perceive the progress being made toward reducing environmental health disparities.
“HEAL has the potential to create transformative change, and frontline communities and state agencies must work together to realize the vision set forth by these communities for Washington State,” said Front and Centered Environmental Justice Program Manager Davin Diaz. “It takes community leadership to advance government accountability in realizing the promise of funding and policy goals. This work is about community collaboration with agencies and we look forward to continued progress in HEAL implementation.”
On September 10, Front and Centered is hosting a virtual briefing for members, partners, and media to share our findings and recommendations for the legislature and agencies administering CCA funds and implementing HEAL.
Community Briefing: Is Washington State Making Progress on Environmental Justice?
WHEN: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm
WHO: Speakers to be announced soon
