Accomplishments
Among the accomplishments were--
-- In 2024, DEP received 294 permits in Environmental Justice areas, and 29 projects received public participation by OEJ. No projects were delayed because of the implementation of the EJ Policy and its enhanced public participation. These efforts reflect the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to increased community engagement while operating at the speed of business.
-- OEJ launched a proactive community outreach and engagement initiative across Pennsylvania. Our goal was to build long-lasting relationships with communities outside individual projects. In total, the OEJ team met with more than 230 community-based organizations and with more than 240 individual stakeholders and community leaders. At the same time, the OEJ team gave more than 70 presentations, attended more than 150 partner events, and hosted 18 events.
-- OEJ’s proactive community engagement approach was recognized as a national model by EPA, which issued a $1 million grant for proactive community engagement. The Pennsylvania Engaging New Voices on Environmental Justice grant marks the first time DEP has received a grant focused solely on proactive community engagement.
Upcoming Projects
Among the regional projects highlighted were--
-- Shell Petrochemical Plant: In the upcoming spring and summer months, the Southwest Regional Coordinator and the DEP Southwest Regional Office will be hosting several public participation events related to the Beaver County Shell Petrochemical Complex (Shell).
Shell has submitted an air quality Plan Approval application to reconcile discrepancies from the original proposed project and for compliance with new federal regulations.
This pending application falls under the EJ Policy Trigger Permit.
Shell also submitted an air quality Title V Operating Permit application, which has been given Opt-In status under the EJ Policy.
Both applications will be given a separate public meeting and a public hearing, for a total of four public events.
These dates will be announced in the PA Bulletin and on the community information page.
-- Homer City Energy Site: DEP continues working with Homer City Development LLC on the redevelopment of a 3,500-acre site with a new, state-of-the-art natural gas-fired power plant (potential hydrogen fuel and HUB).
This project will provide considerable investment and jobs for the local community that has historically supported the plant and industry. Only blasting applications have been submitted thus far.
Click Here to read the entire EJ newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
Visit DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice webpage for more information.
Upcoming Event
May 13-- DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting.
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website. Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
NewsClip:
-- AP: Democrats Say EPA Illegally Canceled Hundreds Of Grants Aimed At Boosting Environmental Justice
[Posted: March 27, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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