Executive Order 14096-Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All

Executive Order 14096, signed on April 21, 2023, revitalizes and strengthens the federal government's commitment to environmental justice — the principle that all communities, regardless of race, income, or national origin, deserve to be free from disproportionate environmental burdens and to have meaningful access to a healthy environment. The order directs federal agencies to make environmental justice a central consideration in their programs, policies, and activities, and establishes new accountability mechanisms to track progress toward environmental justice goals.

The order affects all federal agencies with environmental, public health, transportation, housing, and infrastructure responsibilities, as well as communities that have historically borne disproportionate pollution burdens — often low-income communities and communities of color near industrial facilities, highways, or contaminated sites. It also affects industry and regulated entities whose environmental compliance may be scrutinized through a stronger environmental justice lens.

Executive orders directing federal agencies to prioritize environmental justice in their operations are within the President's authority to manage the executive branch and enforce existing environmental laws. The order builds on the Environmental Protection Agency's statutory mandate to protect all communities and reinforces requirements under existing civil rights laws. Some specific enforcement mechanisms could face legal challenges if seen as creating new regulatory requirements without congressional authorization.

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