On Jan. 12, Íæż½ã½ã responded to an Office of Science and Technology on how they should develop a coordinated Federal strategy to identify and address gaps in science, data, and research related to environmental justice (EJ). Along with its coalition partners, Íæż½ã½ã emphasized core concepts that underpin many of the association’s prior recommendations to federal agencies related to data collection and use: take steps to improve data quality, flexibility, and transparency, as well as provide for meaningful outreach with industry.
Executive Order 14096 directs the agencies to: develop a plan to analyze gaps in data collection and research; identify opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders to accelerate the development of data and address any identified gaps; recommend sources of data and protections for the use of that data; and factor demographic and community needs into the process.
As environmental justice is likely to play a part in future rulemaking and policymaking decisions, Íæż½ã½ã and its coalition partners expressed the importance of integrity of any associated research and data collected -- particularly to ensure data quality, relevancy, and balanced consideration as well as the protection of confidential business information.
For more information, contact Melinda Tomaino at melinda.tomaino@agc.org.