This summer, construction of the Line 3 pipeline generated a lot of controversy, with several protests demanding a stop to construction. Enbridge, a large energy infrastructure company, is planning to construct a 340-mile pipeline called Line 3. The pipeline construction is planned to replace an outdated, existing pipeline that stretches from Alberta, Canada to the Wisconsin coast on Lake Michigan.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” In its recent fiscal year 2020-2021 report, the EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified environmental justice as one of the eight top management challenges the EPA has struggled with and needs to improve on. According to the report, the OIG and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have consistently found that the EPA is not measuring up to its definition of environmental justice. The report specifically stated, “EPA needs to enhance its consideration of environmental justice across programs and regions and provide leadership in this area for the federal government.”
Indian Country has been especially impacted by COVID-19 due to Native Americans’ ongoing vulnerability to health issues stemming from poor environmental conditions on reservations. The American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) Native American Resource Committee held a webinar on May 28th, 2020 to discuss the current issues affecting Native American reservations due to COVID-19.
