The Latest News and Updates
Aug 16, 2022
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Calls on President Biden to Step Up Protections for Communities Targeted for Increased Pollution in the Inflation Reduction Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2022 NEW ORLEANS, LA – Following President Biden signing the Inflation Reduction Act, Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ), released the following statement: "The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes positive benefits that are responsive to the needs of families, but its funding for dirty energy puts a target on Black and other communities of color harmed by pollution in the Gulf Coast and across the United States. Instead of funding the transition away from fossil fuel production, the IRA incentivizes it. Among these incentives are billions of dollars for carbon waste projects without regard for their risks to communities and record of failure to mitigate climate change. "The Environmental Justice community is no stranger to setbacks, and we are already planning our next steps forward. Our efforts will be centered on engaging regulators and policymakers, as well as taking court action, to prevent polluting facilities from ever coming online. In collaboration with our partners, we will apply science, collect data and bring advocacy to ensure that our communities receive the justice they deserve. "I call on President Biden to deliver on his promise to our communities who are fighting for environmental and climate justice. This means stepping up action to enforce civil rights laws against environmental racism, inform the public on the risks of carbon waste projects, and secure a just transition away from dirty energy that restores overburdened communities and sustains future generations.” ### About the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Families in the Gulf Coast deserve to live in communities that are free from deadly air and are more resilient to climate change and extreme weather. The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) works to empower and engage communities to put environmental justice and equity at the center of all climate action. Led by environmental justice scholar and advocate, author, civic leader and professor of Sociology Dr. Beverly L. Wright, the DSCEJ uses research, education, and community and student engagement to advocate for policy change, lead health and safety training for environmental careers, develop social and emotional community wellness programs, and create new and environmentally healthy opportunities for the residents of communities disproportionately impacted by historic environmental injustice. ...
Aug 8, 2022
Now Accepting Applications for the NOLA HBCU Environmental Justice And Climate Corps Fall Internship
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is now accepting applications for the HBCU Environmental Justice and Climate Corps Fall Internship in New Orleans. An HBCU student intern from the Metro New Orleans area will immerse themselves in a hands-on research to action project working with a partner community based organization disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards and climate change. DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2022 For more details and application instructions, please click on the flyer below. ...
Jul 28, 2022
Statement from the DSCEJ on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2022 NEW ORLEANS, LA – In response to today’s reporting on the status of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, released the following statement: “"In the Gulf Coast and across the United States, Black and other communities of color are fighting for their health and safety in the shadows of industrial polluters. Today, this fight has gained more support from Senators, but it is far from over. The Senate’s Inflation Reduction Action is one step forward on environmental justice, but it includes some steps back with tax credits for polluting industries. We are deeply concerned about the future legacy pollution that would result from these tax credits that allow the continued burning of coal, oil and gas with inherently risky carbon capture projects and new hydrogen production facilities. We need bolder action to achieve environmental and climate justice for ourselves and future generations.”...
Jul 20, 2022
DSCEJ Urges President Biden to Declare a Climate Emergency as Administration Announces Executive Actions to Address Climate Crisis
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, in response to President Biden announcing upcoming executive actions aimed at combating the climate crisis and extreme heat while creating clean energy jobs in offshore wind, Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ), released the following statement: “While DSCEJ is dismayed at Congress’ inaction to fight the climate crisis, we applaud President Biden for taking action through the executive orders announced today. In particular, President Biden announced that FEMA will double the funding to the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program as part of Justice40, marking an important step in ensuring communities that need funding for climate and clean energy the most are the ones receiving investments. As we engage grassroots communities as part of our Justice40 commitment, we are looking forward to the opportunity to continue working with the Biden administration to ensure a just Justice40 implementation. “In addition, the expanded investment in HHS’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), combined with clean energy job creation in expanded offshore wind opportunities in the Gulf Coast, will help provide much needed short-and-long-term relief for communities of color along the Gulf Coast that have suffered the brunt of environmental injustice for far too long. “Still, as the Gulf Coast and the rest of the country face intense heat waves this week and throughout the summer, we urge the administration to go a step further and fully declare a climate emergency in order to provide the full resources needed to make sure all climate action is in line with environmental justice goals.”...
Jun 20, 2022
Statement from the DSCEJ on the Supreme Court’s Decision in West Virginia v. EPA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2022 NEW ORLEANS, LA – New Orleans, LA - In response to today’s Supreme Court’s decision in the West Virginia v. EPA case, Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, released the following statement: “Today’s US Supreme Court decision is the latest in a series of egregious rulings that put millions of people at risk. By ruling that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate carbon pollution from power plants, the Supreme Court jeopardizes our health and blocks environmental justice. Black and other communities of color are disproportionately exposed to power plant pollution which causes premature deaths and worsens the climate crisis. Power plant companies have targeted communities where, on average, 52 percent of residents are Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian American. This preemptive strike on the EPA’s ability to reduce power plant pollution denies our right to clean air and climate action. We will continue our fight for environmental justice and equitable climate solutions.”...
Jun 15, 2022
Navigate NOLA Releases Bold New Citywide Campaign Celebrating positive images of Black Girls
The pioneering Collaborative for African-American Girls and Women presents, “Let Black Girls Be…”to inspire and empower the community to nurture and protect black girlhood. New Orleans—The Collaborative for African-American Girls and Women (CAAGW), a powerhouse team of Black women leading organizations that serve black girls in the city of New Orleans, unveils “Let Black Girls Be…”, a new campaign created by Navigate NOLA. The social marketing campaign aims to dismantle racist and sexist attitudes towards black girls that give rise to disparities across the systems with which black girls interface. The campaign’s call to action is unique in that it positions behavior change as the product being marketed, calling on the community at large to shift historically negative attitudes towards black girls and black women to celebrating black girls and extending the same grace to black girls that is extended to their white counterparts throughout girlhood. The campaign features billboards, located throughout the city of New Orleans, of black and white portraits of black girls, captured by documentary photographer Nina Robinson. The community at large is encouraged to participate in the campaign by visiting the campaign website, www.letblackgirlsbe.com, to create their own images, celebrating black women and black girls, and posting them to social media. CAAGW is a consortium comprised of community-based organizations/projects that support African-American girls in the city of New Orleans. CAAGW works to address the ascending disparities in education, health and economics that African-American girls face. CAAGW utilizes a collective impact framework to evaluate the impact of programming across the partnering organizations that serve African-American girls in the city of New Orleans. CAAGW leads small scale research initiatives to examine the experiences of African American girls and young women that can be brought to scale to better support a landscape that advances equity for African-American girls and women. CAAGW is comprised of the following organizations: 1.) Navigate NOLA, 2.) Project Butterfly New Orleans, 3.) The Orchid Society, 4.) Daughters Beyond Incarceration and 5.) The Beautiful Foundation. CAAGW members, Dr. Danielle Wright and Dr. Rashida Govan, as part of this campaign, co authored a book chapter, elevating the collective power of black women working with black girls, and the expected publishing date of the book is Fall 2022. This summer, CAAGW will release a collective impact report, demonstrating the collective power of the collaborating organizations and their work, led by black women and centered in the experiences of black girls. The “Let Black Girls Be…” campaign continues to provide educators, school based mental health professionals and youth serving community-based organizations with training and professional development that seek to expand their capacity to meet the unique needs of black girls, and to shift schools and communities to spaces of healing for black girls. For more information, please contact: Dr. Danielle Wright Navigate NOLA Danielle.wright@navigatenola.com ...
Jun 9, 2022
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Commends New Orleans City Council for Prohibiting Carbon Capture and Storage
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Commends New Orleans City Council for Prohibiting Carbon Capture and Storage June 9, 2022 NEW ORLEANS - Today, the New Orleans City Council passed Resolution NO. R-22-219 after passing through committee unanimously. Brought forward by Councilmember Helena Moreno, this resolution urges the prohibition of underground storage of carbon dioxide and facilities for this purpose. The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) commends the city’s leaders for taking action to protect Louisiana and New Orleans from the risks of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and related technology. The DSCEJ has been pushing local and federal leaders to consider the potential consequences of CCS on Black communities around the Gulf Coast who have dealt with the consequences of the oil and gas industry’s careless pollution on their health and livelihood for decades. “I am proud of New Orleans for being a trailblazer in policies that protect local communities from CCS technologies,” said Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. “As I said when Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited recently, supporting CCS will encourage the growth of fossil fuel industries and continue the injustice of putting profits over communities of color. Instead, we need to develop and implement an energy plan for Louisiana that cleans our air and powers our homes and vehicles while prioritizing equitable investments in communities and invests in people to get the necessary training for clean energy jobs of the future. We encourage other local municipalities around the country to follow New Orleans’ lead to prohibit CCS technology.” There is evidence that shows that carbon capture could lead to significant environmental, health, and safety risks, including: Unregulated collection of carbon dioxide at industrial facilities, which can mix in other toxic chemicals; New pipelines to transport corrosive carbon streams that will cause leaks over time; and Underground disposal, which can break down wells, move through abandoned wells, contaminate groundwater, and potentially cause earthquakes. As the federal government considers a massive investment into carbon capture and storage, DSCEJ calls on Congress to fund an impact analysis on carbon capture and storage to be conducted by EPA, DOE and other relevant agencies. Contact: Ginger LeBlanc Deep South Center for Environmental Justice gingerl@dscej.org (504) 298-9878 ...
May 27, 2022
Environmental Justice Voice Newsletter
MAY 2022 EDITION: IN THIS ISSUE: Annual Conference Recap ECWTP Graduation CBO News Success Stories Powerlands Film Fundraiser READ NOW >>
May 25, 2022
Groups Urge Gov. Edwards to Establish State Energy Plan to Compete for Federal Funds
Groups Urge Gov. Edwards to Establish State Energy Plan to Compete for Federal Funds Energy Secretary Encourages Community Participation in Equitable Energy Investments May 25, 2022 NEW ORLEANS - The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and the Alliance for Affordable Energy sent a letter urging Governor Edwards to establish an energy plan to make Louisiana competitive for the billions of dollars available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law administered by the Department of Energy. Their letter follows an historic meeting in New Orleans in which the US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm met with community, environmental justice, and energy consumer advocates yesterday. She encouraged them to participate in decisions on equitable energy investments. Currently, the DOE reports that $62 billion in funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are now available for energy projects. Inaction on an energy plan for Louisiana limits opportunities to fund projects that can save lives during power outages by innovating the electric grid, as well as support the transition to an equitable renewable energy economy. In their letter, the groups urge Governor Edwards develop a state energy plan with public participation and focus on communities who are harmed by oil and gas industries, have yet to recover from past hurricanes, struggle to pay electric and gas bills, and are disconnected from efficient and renewable energy. Text of the letter follows. Dear Governor Edwards: We respectfully urge you to take action on establishing an energy plan for Louisiana. As you know, without this plan, Louisiana is less competitive for the billions of dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that are awarded by the US Department of Energy. We recommend a plan that prioritizes investments in Louisiana communities harmed by oil and gas industries and a transition to an equitable and renewable energy economy that creates opportunities for workers. Louisiana residents have been failed by a poorly maintained energy grid with extended power outages that have resulted in deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning and excessive heat. Fenceline communities are exposed to toxic air from oil refineries, gas production facilities, abandoned wells, and oil waste disposal. Families struggle to pay electric and gas bills with soaring fuel charges. Many homes in Louisiana are in need of weatherization to use energy efficiently. The climate crisis we face is fueled by energy we must transition away from in order to sustain our future. After decades of denying climate change, the oil and gas industry is seeking to expand in the state with unproven and highly risky technology called carbon capture and storage. We need an energy plan for Louisiana that provides real solutions. Solar power with battery storage, wind energy, and energy efficiency can clean our air, keep the power on, create new jobs for Louisiana, and help us to meet the climate goal. A plan focused on strategies for achieving these solutions is urgently needed to improve our environment and economy. We offer our support to assist your office in developing an energy plan that is centered on equity. We strongly recommend meaningful and effective engagement with communities across the state to provide input in developing this plan. We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to get to work on an equitable energy plan for Louisiana. Sincerely, Beverly Wright, Executive Director Deep South Center for Environmental Justice www.dscej.org Logan Burke, Executive Director Alliance for Affordable Energy www.all4energy.org Contact: Logan Burke Alliance for Affordable Energy logan@all4energy.org 646-942-7149 Ginger LeBlanc Deep South Center for Environmental Justice gingerl@dscej.org (504) 298-9878 ...
May 23, 2022
US DOE Secretary Travels to Louisiana
US DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm Travels to Louisiana Today, the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) will be among leaders of nonprofit organizations to meet in New Orleans with Secretary Jennifer Granholm, US Department of Energy. This will be the first time for a cabinet official to meet with community, environmental justice, and energy consumer advocates to talk about energy policy and investment in Louisiana. Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice: “I’m looking forward to discussing with Secretary Granholm how local communities are driving policies to transition to an equitable and renewable energy economy in New Orleans that need her support. I would like her to understand that doling out taxpayer dollars for the climate scam of carbon capture and storage would only encourage coal, oil, and gas industries to grow and continue the injustice of sacrificing Black and other communities to these hazardous industries. We need an energy plan for Louisiana that cleans our air and prioritizes equitable investments in communities to efficiently power homes and vehicles with renewable energy, as well as invest in people to get the necessary training for these jobs.” ...