The Justice40 initiative could make a major difference for communities burdened by pollution, but only if funds are spent on projects that maintain a focus on equity.
![Air Pollution](/files/styles/featured_small/public/images/shutterstock_660041272.jpg.webp?itok=OobrwCkI)
“In a letter sent Tuesday, more than 60 Democrats urged the White House to strengthen implementation of the Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to send at least 40 percent of the benefits of federal climate investments to communities that are overburdened by pollution, climate change and other environmental hazards.”
According to an article by Maxine Joselow and Vanessa Montalbano in the Washington Post, the group called for four key commitments: to consider the 40 percent goal a starting point rather than a ceiling for investments; to ensure programs funded by Justice40 do not cause additional harm to communities; to provide well-paying local jobs; and to establish a Climate Justice and Equity Office tasked with overseeing a “whole-of-government” approach to the program.
The Justice40 initiative has faced criticism from environmental justice advocates who fear that, due to its unclear parameters, the program could end up funding projects that increase pollution and negative health impacts in underinvested communities. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who led the letter-writing group, said “The Inflation Reduction Act has the power to shape a generation of climate action that can build health and wealth in disadvantaged communities, but only if we develop and use a powerful Justice40 framework to right the historic wrongs of environmental injustice.”
FULL STORY: Democrats push White House to strengthen environmental justice efforts
![An aerial view of Milwaukee’s Third Ward.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Milwaukee-Third-Ward.jpeg.webp?itok=ThTZMA1Z 1200w,
/files/styles/large/public/images/Milwaukee-Third-Ward.jpeg.webp?itok=72bEtsBS 992w)
Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny
The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.
![Portland Bus Lane](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/5962729519_94a2a7705f_c.jpg.webp?itok=V_0hNFSw 1200w,
/files/styles/large/public/images/5962729519_94a2a7705f_c.jpg.webp?itok=V-FP7hHN 992w)
‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland
Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.
![Conceptual rendering of Rikers Island redevelopment as renewable energy facility](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Screenshot%202023-08-23%20at%2011-49-44%20ARTICLE%20Green%20Future%20for%20Rikers.png.webp?itok=d6m2GusQ 1200w,
/files/styles/large/public/images/Screenshot%202023-08-23%20at%2011-49-44%20ARTICLE%20Green%20Future%20for%20Rikers.png.webp?itok=Iwd36Q0M 992w)
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
![A rendering of the Utah City master planned, mixed-use development.](
/files/styles/large/public/images/Vineyard-Utah-Civic-Center-FINAL-COLOR_1920x1080.webp?itok=S4Vyoz5O 992w,
/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Vineyard-Utah-Civic-Center-FINAL-COLOR_1920x1080.webp?itok=tXe1YuWQ 400w
)
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
![A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.](
/files/styles/large/public/images/Starbucks-Drive-Thru.jpeg.webp?itok=OSz83Rrf 992w,
/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Starbucks-Drive-Thru.jpeg.webp?itok=NOZDpcFu 400w
)
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
![Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.](
/files/styles/large/public/images/Dhaka-Bangladesh.jpeg.webp?itok=UchxQNTP 992w,
/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Dhaka-Bangladesh.jpeg.webp?itok=1w9el1n7 400w
)
Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says
Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.