Virginia's environmental justice efforts face hurdles under new administration

Despite recent political shifts, Virginia's commitment to environmental justice is being tested, with advocates expressing concern over the state's direction.

Hannah Chanatry reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• Despite Democratic control, Virginia's environmental justice progress is threatened under Governor Youngkin's Republican administration.
• Advocates worry about the lack of political will to implement the 2020 Environmental Justice Act effectively.
• Recent decisions, like the approval of a controversial gas pipeline, highlight challenges in public engagement and policy implementation.

Key quote:

"It is beyond absurd that VMRC did less than the bare minimum to notify the public about the opportunity to submit comments—and then did not take into account the fact that 100 percent of comments were in opposition to the project.”

— Charles Brown, Hampton Roads Organizer, Chesapeake Climate Action Network

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