Washington Post:
Several Cabinet officials gathered today to restart the federal government’s effort to stop environmental discrimination. The interagency working group on environmental justice, which had not met for a decade, came together at the White House on Wednesday morning to discuss ways to insure that low-income and minority communities don’t unfairly bear the brunt of environmental pollution.
Officials, who included EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, also discussed how to coordinate the federal government’s efforts to promote green jobs.
“There was a high level of energy in the room,” Jackson said in an interview after the meeting. “We need to show people across the country that we are committed to having healthy communities and a strong economy. The next level means finding innovations and efficiencies by working together. That’s something this administration is committed to. That’s what today was about.” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan, General Services Administrator Martha Johnson and three top White House officials also attended the meeting. The White House is also planning to host an environmental justice forum this year, and senior officials from each department plan to begin monthly meetings to make sure each agency is using its power to deal with environmental justice issues.
The rest here.