The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), a federal advisory committee to EPA was established September 30, 1993. The Council provides advice and recommendations about broad, cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice, from all stakeholders involved in the environmental justice dialogue. In addition, the NEJAC provides a valuable forum for discussions about integrating environmental justice with other EPA priorities and initiatives. 

The NEJAC provides independent advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator. The Council’s efforts include the evaluation of a broad range of strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic issues related to environmental justice.  

The Council’s major objectives are to provide advice and recommendations about EPA efforts to:

1. Integrate environmental justice considerations into Agency programs, policies and activities.
2. Improve the environment or public health in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks.
3. Address environmental justice by ensuring meaningful involvement in EPA decision-making, building capacity in disproportionately burdened communities, and promoting collaborative problem-solving for issues involving environmental justice.
4. Strengthen its partnerships with other governmental agencies, such as other Federal agencies and State, Tribal, or local governments, regarding environmental justice issues.
5. Enhance research and assessment approaches related to environmental justice.

You can read more about the history of the Advisory Council by reading the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council 20-Year Retrospective Report.

White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council

EPA looks forward to the establishment of a White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council pursuant to Executive Order 14008, titled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.  The White House council will not only bring greater visibility to EJ issues across the federal government, but will provide EPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council with an excellent partner for providing horizon-expanding EJ advice and recommendations to our government’s leadership.  As EPA learns more details about how we will support the formation of the White House council, we are continuing to support the consistent management of NEJAC, including with our annual membership recruitment process and convening public meetings.