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 70 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 72 lawsuits and collected over $31 million in penalties and past costs. We’re proud of our results, some of which are explained here.
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Environmental Justice News
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 that ExxonMobil Will Pay $9.5 Million to Resolve Natural Resource Damages Lawsuit
NJ’s Six-Count Complaint Centered on Harmful PCB Contamination of Wetlands and Waterways in Gloucester County Caused by the Company’s Petroleum Product DumpingFor Immediate Release: August 15, 2022 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney...
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...
Acting AG Platkin, DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. over Hazardous Waste Dumping in Native American Tribal Community
Complaint Seeks Compensation for Natural Resource Damages; Ford Disposed of Toxic Paint Sludge, other Contaminants at Mining Site that Includes State-Recognized Tribal LandsFor Immediate Release: June 16, 2022 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Acting...
Acting AG Platkin Announces Indictment of New York Man for Allegedly Discharging Sewage Waste into a Passaic County Lake
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2022 Office of The Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney GeneralDivision of Criminal Justice- Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, DirectorFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lisa CoryellOAGpress@njoag.govSerpe Indictment TRENTON –...
Acting AG Platkin, DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Groundwater Contamination Lawsuit in Environmental Justice Community
State’s Complaint Seeks Compensation for Natural Resource Damages that Occurred over Decades in Overburdened Bergen County Community For Immediate Release: April 4, 2022 Office of The Attorney General - Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney General NJ Department of...
El fiscal general interino Bruck y el comisionado del DEP LaTourette anuncian siete nuevas acciones de cumplimiento ambiental en seis comunidades de justicia ambiental
For Immediate Release: October 9, 2021 NJ Department of Law & Public Safety- Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney GeneralNJ Department of Environmental Protection- Shawn M. LaTourette, CommissionerFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee Moore (LPS)...
Acting AG Bruck, DEP Commissioner LaTourette Announce Seven New Environmental Enforcement Actions, Six Environmental Justice Communities
For Immediate Release: October 8, 2021 NJ Department of Law & Public Safety- Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney GeneralNJ Department of Environmental Protection- Shawn M. LaTourette, CommissionerFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee Moore (LPS)...
Statement from Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck Regarding PennEast’s Decision to Abandon Efforts to Build Pipeline through New Jersey
For Immediate Release: September 27, 2021 Office of The Attorney General- Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee Moore 609-292-4791Citizen Inquiries-609-984-5828Since Day One, the Murphy Administration has fought the...
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.