Back

Director's Picks

DOE Energy Justice to the People Roadshow Gains Momentum in Port Arthur, TX and Lake Charles, LA

Summary

The Energy Justice to the People Roadshow, organized by the Department of Energy's Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED), made significant progress during its visits to Port Arthur, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The delegation, consisting of federal government representatives and philanthropists, engaged in meaningful discussions with community members, elected officials, utility board members, advocacy organizations, and local government officials. The roadshow took a unique approach by focusing on listening to community concerns about past issues and future aspirations before presenting what DOE and other agencies can offer. In Port Arthur, Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Director Shalanda Baker visited the El Vista neighborhood and discussed the impacts of living near the oil refineries and storage tanks. The delegation also learned about the direct effects of the fossil fuel industry on the Carver Terrace Public Housing site. The roadshow continued to Lake Charles, where townhall-style listening sessions allowed community members to express their concerns, and federal agency officials pledged to follow up with information on grants and resources. The Energy Justice to the People Roadshow aims to ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from clean energy investments and promote environmental justice, economic revitalization, and job creation in frontline communities.

discover more

October 25, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

In this op-ed, Richard Moore critiques the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso, arguing that it threatens environmental just

October 25, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

An Investigate Midwest analysis reveals that many U.S. meatpacking plants disproportionately pollute low-income, predominantly non-white communities. In Postville, Iowa, Agri Star

October 24, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

A new United Nations Environment Programme report warns that global efforts to reduce emissions remain insufficient to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement. Global greenhou

October 24, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Earthworks urges the EPA to deny a license for Texas GulfLink, a proposed large-scale offshore oil export terminal in Texas that could increase U.S. oil exports by one million

October 24, 2024

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are emerging as pivotal leaders in climate justice, according to a new report by the United Negro College Fund titled *The HBC

October 24, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

Con Edison and First Student have launched a demonstration project in Brooklyn to support electric school bus infrastructure, marking a significant shift from diesel to renewable

October 22, 2024

The third annual Justice Week by the U.S. Department of Energy emphasized concrete steps to ensure that clean energy initiatives equitably benefit all communities

October 22, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Grist highlights the economic benefits businesses can gain by installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which attract customers during charging periods, increasing sales

October 21, 2024

The ADM-operated carbon sequestration facility in Decatur, Illinois—America’s first commercial site of its kind—has reported two leaks, sparking public concerns over safety and tr

October 18, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

This article explores the challenges faced by vulnerable communities who cannot afford to evacuate during hurricanes, as exemplified by the experiences of residents affected by Hu

October 18, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

A global study conducted by the University of Nottingham found that while many people, including those in climate-vulnerable regions, recognize social and economic injustices rela

October 18, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Two UN committees have found Finland in violation of Sámi rights by granting mineral exploration permits in Sámi homelands without proper consent or impact assessments. The Sámi p

October 17, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) is under scrutiny due to audit findings and allegations of suppressing information about toxic contamination on a property designated for low

October 17, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

A World Resources Institute (WRI) report reveals that 25% of global crops are grown in areas facing significant water stress or unreliability, threatening food security.

October 16, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

In Washington’s Marckworth State Forest, conservationists are experimenting with “assisted migration” by planting trees from warmer, drier regions to build resilience against clim