Thank you. I’d like to begin by saying how pleased I am to welcome all of you to this important Roundtable on Environmental Justice and Equity. This conference brings together experts, policymakers, stakeholders, and community leaders; each contributing valuable insights and diverse perspectives. I am looking forward to hearing from them.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, environmental justice is more than just a phrase to me, it’s personal. I know what it’s like to grow up in a community facing environmental justice issues. My experiences growing up in Alabama (on the Gulf Coast) have had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. And I know how important these issues are to communities around the country. That’s why I’ve been consistent in my commitment to do something about it.
For those here that are new to the Commission, FERC regulates large parts of the energy industry, and the Commission’s actions have far-reaching implications for the public. Our policies and actions help ensure that everyone has access to reliable energy at a price that they can afford, something that is a necessity for everyone. Part of that broad mission involves the siting of energy projects such as natural gas pipelines, LNG export facilities, hydroelectric facilities, and, in some circumstances, electric transmission facilities. We can all agree that bringing reliable and affordable energy to market to keep homes warm and people safe is important, but (as regulators) we cannot lose sight of a related and critical responsibility —basic fairness and equity.
What is environmental justice? It’s more than just a moral imperative, or a catch-phrase. And it should not be a special interest issue or used in a way to divide people. Environmental justice is a cornerstone of responsible and sustainable energy policy. It is about the fair treatment of all people – regardless of race, creed, or color. Basic human decency requires that we strive to ensure that our decisions are fair, that they do not exclude certain communities, and that they recognize the reality on the ground. It’s no secret that some communities face a disproportionate amount of negative impacts associated with how we produce, transport, and consume energy. It’s also no secret that those same communities struggle to participate in the very processes that the Commission uses to regulate energy infrastructure.
As a Commission, we have taken significant steps towards improving how we incorporate environmental justice and equity into what we do. My predecessor, Chairman Glick, created the position of Senior Counsel for Environmental Justice and Equity to help coordinate our Equity Action Plan and ensure that the Commission’s policies and processes are consistent with environmental justice and equity principles. Until recently, that role was filled by Montina Cole, who has our thanks for her efforts and leadership during her time here. And, just this month, we brought on Conrad Bolston to fill this role and we are excited to have him here at the Commission. And at the National Environmental Justice Conference in DC, I announced that the Commission will formally create an environmental justice and equity group that will ensure durable and lasting change. Stacey Steep, from my office, and then Elin Katz helped stand up the Office of Public Participation, which will help all parties, including environmental justice communities, participate more effectively in our proceedings. And we are delighted that Nicole Sitaraman is leading that office. We also issued the Commission’s first Equity Action Plain, in response to President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities. Finally, on the policy front, we are in the process of improving how we identify environmental justice communities affected by our actions and how we consider the impacts on those communities.
While we are moving in the right direction, we still have work to do. And I am committed to doing that work, with my fellow Commissioners and all stakeholders. This Roundtable is an important part of the dialogue that we will need to push this issue forward at the Commission. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our panelists and express my gratitude for their willingness to share their voices and perspectives.