DEP Environmental Justice meetings begin this week. Here’s how to participate

By Cassie Miller – Capital-Star

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is kicking off a series of meetings beginning this week to gather input from the public on the interim environmental justice policy adopted by the agency on Sept. 16.

The series of meetings are set to begin on Wednesday evening with the first one being a virtual-only event.

The 27-page policy outlines DEP’s approach to connecting with Pennsylvanians living in environmental justice communities — those disproportionately affected by factors such as poor air quality, old housing and infrastructure, and limited transportation — and explains how the agency will handle environmental compliance and enforcement efforts in these areas.

More than 4 million Pennsylvanians live in environmental justice communities statewide, according to the department.

DEP said that the goal of the meetings is to “engage Pennsylvanians in shaping environmental justice policy for communities across the Commonwealth,” by giving the public a platform to offer suggestions and raise concerns about the policy.

The meeting schedule is included below.

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, Oct.11, 2023
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
This meeting is virtual only – visit http://www.dep.pa.gov/EJPolicyRevision for registration details.

Ranshaw
Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Brady Fire Company (Banquet Hall)
700 Maple Street, Ranshaw, Pa. 17866
Scranton

Monday, Oct. 16, 2023
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
University of Scranton, Loyola Science Center
100 Linden Street, Room 133, Scranton, Pa. 18510

Erie
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Erie Center for Arts & Technology, Ada Lawrence Community Room
650 East Avenue, Erie, Pa. 16503

Pittsburgh
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
North Side Institution GOGIC, Banquet Hall
302 West North Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212

Harrisburg
Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
YMCA Camp Curtin
2135 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17110

Chester
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
ACCESS Community Center
701 Booth Street, Chester, Pa. 19013

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Virtual – Visit http://www.dep.pa.gov/EJPolicyRevision for registration details.

Philadelphia
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Drexel University | Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery, Main Building, Third Floor
3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104

For those who cannot attend one of the meetings but would like to comment on the interim environmental justice policy, comments can be submitted online until Oct. 29.