SECURING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental justice embodies the principle that particular communities and populations should not be disproportionately exposed to adverse environmental impacts. In New Jersey, everyone, no matter how much money they make or where they come from, should be able to enjoy living, working, and having fun in a clean and safe environment. But poorer neighborhoods often deal with the legacy of having more pollution and health problems compared to wealthier places. More people of color live in these neighborhoods that have a history of pollution, compared to whiter, wealthier areas.
Begun under the Murphy Administration in 2018, this initiative of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) specifically targets environmental law enforcement affecting communities of color, low-income communities, low-English-proficiency communities, and those subject to cumulative environmental stressors (“overburdened communities”). Our environmental enforcement efforts continue in all communities across the state.
New Jersey Environmental Justice Lawsuit Map
The Attorney General and DEP have filed more than 60 environmental justice lawsuits in overburdened communities all over the state since 2018. Click on this map to find information about cases near you, including when each case was filed, a link to the press release and court complaint, what kind of environmental problem was at stake, and whether the case has been resolved yet.
New Jersey Environmental Justice Lawsuit Highlights
Our environmental justice lawsuits are designed to compel polluters to clean up our air, soil, and water in overburdened communities and to compensate the state for its enforcement work. So far we have filed 68 lawsuits and collected over $31 million in penalties and past costs. We’re proud of our results, some of which are explained here.
Blueberry Bill Farms
M.J. & Sons
Environmental Justice News
AG Platkin and DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Resolution of Two Environmental Lawsuits and the Filing of Six New Enforcement Actions, Including Four in Environmental Justice Communities
Court Enters Judgement in DEP’s Favor in One Case, Another Case Settles For Immediate Release: April 25, 2024 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralDivision of Law- Michael T.G. Long, DirectorFor Further Information: Media...
Murphy Administration Announces Tools to Protect New Jerseyans from Increasing Flood Risks Brought by Climate Change
Measures Include Flood History Disclosure Forms, Flood Zone Mapping Tools to Aid Homeowners and Renters.
AG Platkin and DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Resolution of Four Environmental Lawsuits and Announce Six Recent Enforcement Actions in Environmental Justice Communities
New Jersey also puts an end to statewide illegal dumping scheme, obtains $8-million court-ordered penaltyFor Immediate Release: September 28, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralDivision of Law- Michael T.G. Long, DirectorFor...
Business Owner Facing Aggravated Manslaughter, Other Charges in Connection With 2022 Fatal Fire at Elizabeth Waste Management Facility
For Immediate Release: July 20, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralDivision of Criminal Justice- Derek Nececkas, Interim DirectorFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Dan ProchiloOAGpress@njoag.govTRENTON — Attorney General...
Attorney General Platkin and DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Proposed Settlement with Solvay Polymers Regarding “Forever Chemical” Pollution in and around West Deptford
Largest Single-site Natural Resource Damages and Remediation Case in New Jersey History For Immediate Release: June 28, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralNJ Department of Environmental Protection- Shawn M....
AG Platkin and DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Eight New Environmental Justice and Environmental Enforcement Actions and Other Settlements
For Immediate Release: April 20, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralNJ Department of Environmental Protection- Shawn M. LaTourette, CommissionerFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Tara OliverOAGpress@njoag.govLawrence Hajna,...
AG Platkin, NJDEP, and Division of Consumer Affairs Announce 1,4-Dioxane Contamination Lawsuit
State’s Complaint Seeks Compensation for Natural Resource Damages and Consumer FraudFor Immediate Release: March 23, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralNJ Department of Environmental Protection- Shawn M....
Lawsuit Filed by AG, NJDEP, and Division of Consumer Affairs Accuses Five Oil and Gas Companies of Misleading the Public About Their Products and Climate Change
State Accuses Defendants of Deceptive Business Practices in Concealing the Risks Posed by Oil and Gas for Decades, Driving Ongoing Use of Fossil FuelsFor Immediate Release: October 18, 2022 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralFor...
Acting AG Platkin, DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Seven New Environmental Enforcement Actions, Six in Environmental Justice Communities
Acting AG, DEP Commissioner Also Announce One Environmental Justice Case Settlement For Immediate Release: August 24, 2022 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee...
Acting AG Platkin, DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Natural Resource Damages Lawsuit against Monsanto and other Corporate Defendants over PCB Contamination
For Immediate Release: August 4, 2022 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney GeneralNJ Department of Environmental Protection- Shawn M. LaTourette, CommissionerFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee MooreOAGpress@njoag.govLarry Hajna...
Resources
NJ Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice Program home
All New Jersey residents, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, have a right to live, work, and recreate in a clean and healthy environment. Historically, New Jersey’s low-income communities and communities of color face a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors and, as a result, suffer from increased adverse health effects. New Jersey seeks to correct these outcomes by furthering the promise of environmental justice.
NJ Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice Mapping, Assessment, and Protection Tool
EJMAP depicts each 50th percentile value for each individual stressors in the OBC and its point of comparison for both the State and relevant county. If the 50th percentile value for an individual stressor is higher than the lesser of the State or county point of comparison for that same stressor, the stressor is considered “adverse”.
NJ Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice Contact Information
Did you know OEJ has a newsletter? Enter your email to stay up-to-date with environmental justice opportunities and additional resources.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Home
“Environmental justice” means the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
In order to better meet the Agency’s responsibilities related to the protection of public health and the environment, EPA has developed a new environmental justice (EJ) mapping and screening tool called EJScreen. It is based on nationally consistent data and an approach that combines environmental and demographic indicators in maps and reports. Learn more about Environmental Justice at EPA.
