Environmental Justice

EELP collaborates with environmental justice and Tribal organizations and coalitions to identify legal pathways for laws, regulations, and policies to be more equitable. We produce legal research on how governmental agencies can drive meaningful engagement and produce more just environmental and public health outcomes for impacted communities.

Media Inquiries

Regulatory Tracker

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)

In May 2026, the Army Corps of Engineers granted an easement to Dakota Access, LLC to allow for the pipeline’s crossing beneath Lake Oahe in North Dakota. The easement is subject to additional environmental monitoring conditions.

May 21, 2026

Quick Takes

EPA’s Proposal to Rescind Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Commercial Sterilizers

A look at EPA’s four main rescissions and the agency’s rationale.

April 21, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Emissions Standards for Commercial Sterilizers

In March 2026, EPA proposed rolling back many of the 2024 rule’s more stringent emissions limits.

March 17, 2026

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New Tools to Strengthen Tribal Access to Climate Adaptation Funding

Research from EELP and the Tribal Coastal Resilience Project helps streamline processes and unlock new resources to support climate adaptation and resilience.

February 21, 2026

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Affirming the Legality of Environmental Justice Initiatives

Summary of the guidelines in multiple languages.

October 17, 2025

CleanLaw Podcast

CleanLaw — Cumulative Impacts and the ‘Holy Grail’ of EJ Policy

Hannah, Charles, and Sean discuss the growing field of cumulative impacts analysis.

October 17, 2025

Legal Analysis

Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Commercial Sterilization Facilities

A summary of EPA’s EtO final rule for sterilization facilities and the significance of regulating EtO emissions for fenceline communities, plus a look at current litigation and the anticipated effort to roll it back.

May 28, 2025

CleanLaw Podcast

CleanLaw — The Future of Environmental Justice

“Because of our lawsuits and the thoughtful decisions from judges appointed by various presidents, Republican or Democrat, we are winning.”

May 13, 2025

Explainer

Why We Are Rescuing Government Environmental Data

Volunteers are preserving tools and data that the Trump administration is discarding, but we are no replacement for the centralized management and distribution of a public good.

May 2, 2025