The Environmental Law Podcast

Environmental justice (EJ) continues to evolve as states respond to shifting federal priorities and community needs. New Jersey has emerged as a leader, integrating equity considerations into core environmental programs, supported by its landmark 2020 EJ law and a long-standing emphasis on strong environmental protections.In the 14th episode of "Groundtruth," New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette joins Principal Hilary Jacobs (Washington, DC) and Of Counsel Justin Smith (Washington, DC) to discuss how the state is operationalizing EJ, measuring progress, and adapting to the major changes in federal policy and funding with the new Administration. Commissioner LaTourette outlines how New Jersey incorporates EJ into decision-making, the practical work of translating EJ principles into concrete, data-driven actions, and the challenges of aligning state and federal roles. The conversation also explores support for community-based organizations, funding constraints, and how businesses can navigate evolving EJ frameworks.“Groundtruth” is a podcast series, produced in partnership with the Environmental Law Institute’s People Places Planet Podcast, that explores EJ trends and developments. 

In the 13th episode of "Groundtruth," Associate Lauren Karam (Boston) speaks with Stella Keck, a Senior Scientist at Roux, and Andrew Shapero, a Senior Engineer at Roux. Lauren, Stella, and Andrew discuss new regulations in Massachusetts involving cumulative impact analyses for air permit issues in areas near environmental justice (EJ) communities, and how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other states address cumulative impacts in EJ communities.

The Biden-Harris administration has placed an unprecedented federal focus on environmental justice using a whole of government approach, including issuing executive orders demanding accountability and action from a broad list of federal agencies and requiring input from impacted communities. In the 12th episode of "Groundtruth," Associate Hilary Jacobs meets with Ebony Griffin, an Environmental Justice Advocate with Earthjustice for a focused conversation about environmental justice and community engagement. They also discuss how regulators and companies can meaningfully engage with impacted communities to address environmental justice concerns. 

In the 11th episode of "Groudtruth," Associates Noa Ervin and Claire McLeod interview Deniss Martinez, PhD Candidate at the University of California Davis, on the practices of prescribed burns. Indigenous people used prescribed burns in forests for thousands of years to manage land, reduce wildfire risk, and support cultural practices. This episode focuses on how colonial governments and land management agencies have suppressed these practices, and highlight the recent progress in restoring Indigenous fire management.

In the tenth episode of "Groundtruth," Beveridge & Diamond Principal Julius M. Redd (Washington, DC) speaks with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. Commissioner LaTourette joined the first "Groundtruth" episode in April 2021, shortly after the Governor of New Jersey signed landmark environmental justice legislation into law in 2020. In our latest episode, he joins Julius again to discuss the Department’s proposed implementing rules for this law, which were published in early June 2022. “Groundtruth” is a podcast series, produced in partnership with the Environmental Law Institute's People Places Planet Podcast that explores EJ trends and developments.  B&D Associate Hilary Jacobs (Washington, DC) led the content development for this episode. Learn more about B&D's EJ practice: www.bdlaw.com/EJ.