• Policy Category: Environmental Justice
• State: Oregon
• Date Implemented: 6/9/2021

Adopted on 6/9/2021 

The legislative assembly of Oregon passed this Resolution acknowledging that “environmental and climate solutions must address structural socioeconomic inequalities.” The Resolution extends the reach of ORS 182.545 (SB 420) to apply to “all state agencies and all policy decisions” and “all state agencies are responsible to respond to the health, environmental, economic and climate crises we face, and are accountable to build a just, equitable and resilient future to secure health and well-being for all people.”  

State agencies are to “develop guidance for the consideration of environmental justice in implementing their statutory and regulatory responsibilities and will consult with the Environmental Justice Task Force to ensure that actions are taken to correct environmental injustices and improve public health and overall well-being of all communities.” 

“Oregon will make reparative investments in frontline communities and direct state resources to ensure that policies and processes are focused on building systems for healthy food, renewable energy infrastructure, clean air and water, good jobs with a family-sustaining wage and a range of workforce services and skills training…” 

Further, “Oregon will address environmental pollution on the basis of the right of all people to clean air, safe and affordable drinking water and protection from climate hazards and the sustainable preservation of ecological integrity and the aesthetic, scientific, cultural and historical values of the natural environment.” 

“Oregon will make investments in watershed protection and water infrastructure to safeguard the water on which we currently depend… a regenerative economy in Oregon will be based on community health protection, respect for traditional ecological knowledge systems and the full and fair participation of Black, Native American, Indigenous and People of Color communities, essential workers, youth, low-income people and those who are most vulnerable in rural and urban communities.” 

• Action Agency(ies): All state agencies
• Read the full policy language