Many provisions of law provide authority to address issues of environmental justice.  Some of these authorities explicitly address "environmental justice," or "environmental equity," as the term is sometimes called.  Others provide authority implicit within their language to address environmental justice concerns.  Examples include the civil rights, environmental, and historic preservation laws, which are meant to protect all people, including low-income individuals, people of color, and tribal communities. 

The following documents describe, or provide examples, of ways in which statutes have been applied to address environmental justice concerns.

Federal Authorities

Executive Order 12898

Presidential Memorandum Accompanying Executive Order 12898

Memorandum, From:  EPA Administrator, Christine Todd-Whitman, "EPA's Commitment to Environmental Justice" (August 9, 2002).

Memorandum, From:  EPA General Counsel, "EPA Statutory and Regulatory Authorities Under Which Environmental Justice Issues May Be Addressed in Permitting" (Dec. 1, 2000).

National Environmental Policy Act

CEQ, "Environment Justice:  Guidance under the National Environmental Policy Act (Dec. 10, 1997).

EPA, Final Guidance For Incorporating Environmental Justice Concerns in EPA's NEPA Compliance Analyses (April 1998).

EPA Office of Federal Activities, EPA Guidance for Consideration of Environmental Justice in Clean Air Act Section 309 Reviews (July 1999).

Environmental Appeals Board Decisions Addressing Environmental Justice 

PSD Air Permits

RCRA Permits

UIC Drinking Water Permits