OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Environmental Justice Law
NJ’s landmark Environmental Justice Law requires DEP to evaluate environmental and public health impacts of certain facilities on overburdened communities (OBCs) when reviewing certain applications. NJ is the first state required to issue denials for new facilities that cannot avoid disproportionate impacts on OBCs or serve compelling public interest. Regulations to implement the law are effective.
EJ Law & Policy
- Environmental Justice Law
- Environmental Justice Rule (English) (Español)
Response to Public Comments – EJ Rule Adoption (English) (Español) - EJ Law Decisions
- Frequently Asked Questions (English) (Español)
- EJ Rule Training Video
EJ Rule Training Presentation (English) (Español) - Glossary of Terms
Determination of Applicability
- Proposed or existing facility is one of the 8 facility types
- Applicant seeks DEP specific permit or approval
- Facility is located, or proposes to be located, in whole, or in part, in an overburdened community (OBC)
Initial Screen
Once DEP receives permit application subject to EJ Rules, DEP provides initial screening information for the OBC including:
- identification of environmental and public health stressors
- appropriate geographic point of comparison
- adverse environmental or public health stressors
- whether OBC is subject to adverse cumulative stressors
Applicant may obtain information directly from EJMAP or analyze stressor data independent from EJMAP. OPPN will verify applicant’s results with the data in EJMAP.
Determination of Application Requirements
- Where OBC is not subject to adverse cumulative stressors or applicant can demonstrate avoidance of disproportionate impact, applicant would only be required to provide the information required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1C-3.2
- OR
- Where OBC is already subject to adverse cumulative stressors or applicant cannot demonstrate disproportionate impact would be avoided, applicant would be required to include both the information required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1C-3.2 and the supplemental information required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1C3.3
Preparation and Review of EJIS and any Additional Supplemental Information
- Applicant submits EJIS and supplemental information, as applicable, along with public notice documents to DEP
- Upon DEP approval, applicant proceeds with meaningful participation process
- DEP posts EJIS and public notice online
Meaningful Public Participation
- Applicant holds meaningful public participation pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1C-4 including public hearing in host overburdened community and minimum 60-day public comment period.
Minimum 60 day public comment period
Department Review
- Applicant provides EJIS with response to comments to Department for review.
- DEP considers EJIS, response to comments other relevant information to determine whether the facility can avoid a disproportionate impact.
Minimum 45 day review
Department Decision
If facility can avoid disproportionate impact, DEP will authorize the applicant to proceed and impose conditions to ensure disproportionate impact is, and remains, avoided.
Where the facility cannot avoid disproportionate impact, DEP would:
New: deny application for new facility unless it demonstrates it will serve a compelling public interest in OBC
Expanded facilities/Major source renewals: authorize applicant to proceed with DEP permitting subject to appropriate conditions to address facility impacts to environmental and public health stressors
Important Information
- EJ Procedural Overview – A visual of how New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Rules work
- Historical Overview of DEP’s Environmental Justice Program 2018/08
- Executive Order No. 23 – Addresses Environmental Justice Issues in New Jersey’s Urban Communities 2018/04/20
- Furthering the Promise – A Guidance Document for Advancing Environmental Justice Across State Government 2020/06/29
- Administration Order No. 2021-25 – Directs DEP staff to meet legislative intent of New Jersey’s EJ law while implementing regulations were being developed 2021/09/22
- FAQs for AO 2021-25 – Frequently asked questions for AO 2021-25 about NJ’S EJ Law
- Administrative Order No. 2020-02 – Regarding the Environmental Justice Advisory Council 2020/02/03
Environmental Justice Archives
To learn about Environmental Justice in NJ, including the development of the EJ Law and rulemaking process, explore the Archived Information page.