Power Plants and Environmental Justice

EPA defines environmental justice as the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment.

While EPA’s power sector programs have been effective in achieving overall emissions reductions, there is clearly more to do to address the adverse health and environmental harm associated with power plant emissions and to advance the equitable distribution of air quality and human health benefits. We are dedicated to continuous progress toward these goals.

We invite you to learn about our environmental justice work and welcome your continuing input.

• Affected Communities

  This chapter of the Power Sector Programs Progress Report focuses on the people who live within three miles of the power plants regulated under EPA’s power sector programs.

  Affected Communities

• Power Plants & Neighboring Communities

  These maps and graphs highlight power plants located in or near communities with one or more key demographics at or above the 80^th percentile nationally.

  Power Plants & Neighboring Communities

• Power Plant Screening Methodology

  This methodology includes advancements in modeling techniques to identify linkages between power plants and downwind locations, including areas of potential EJ concern.

  Screening Methodology

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about environmental justice at EPA and explore EJScreen, EPA's environmental justice screening and mapping tool.
• Learn about the work of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, a federal advisory committee to EPA which provides advice and recommendations about broad, cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice.
• Climate change affects all Americans and many impacts are projected to worsen. However, individuals will not equally experience these changes. Learn more about Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States.
• EPA is committed to Inclusive Utility Investment: facilitating expansion of programs that overcome barriers to energy efficiency faced by underserved and disadvantaged communities. In addition, there are more opportunities for low- and moderate-income families to make energy saving home upgrades.
• Pollution from transportation also has environmental justice implications. Lean more about environmental justice and transportation.

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