Many of the environmental injustices that Virginians face emerge at the local level as localities greenlight projects that lead to environmental degradation and harm.
This legislation gives localities a tool in the planning process to help address these impacts and ensure vulnerable communities are safer from environmental degradation.
More specifically, these bills require Virginia localities to consider adopting an environmental justice strategy as part of their comprehensive plan and to also identify local environmental justice or fenceline communities and develop solutions that reduce health risks and environmental harm while advancing civic engagement.
Both HB256 and SB425 passed out of their respective chambers on party-line votes of 63-36 and 21-19. Both bills were signed into law by Gov. Spanberger.