Front and Center on Equity and Environmental Justice

Statement by Joy Yakie

A clean energy transition without equity and environmental justice considerations is unjust and impossible. For the clean energy transition plans to be effective in the Northeast, equity and environmental justice must be front and center. Acadia Center understands the urgency of switching to clean energy and the role of equity and environmental justice provisions in this transition. This truth drives our research and state advocacy work as well as the clean energy efforts we push in our initiatives on transportation, buildings, utility, and power sector. We are invested in equity and justice forming the bedrock of our thought process.

We will continue to further our mission by seeking the voices of those in disadvantaged communities including low-income communities and communities of color, immigrant communities, and environmental justice communities. Acadia Center knows that environmental and climate bills and laws have a direct or indirect impact on environmental justice communities and other disadvantaged communities. We are committed to bringing attention to these impacts and holding rule- and law-makers accountable to the impacts. In our legislatures and policy efforts with policymakers, we will continue to amplify the messages of disadvantaged communities that continually bear disproportionate harm while also benefiting the least from environmental benefits and clean energy infrastructure in this transition. Most importantly, when provided a platform, we will continue to involve environmental justice groups as the issues may require.