Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC)
Governor Lamont’s recent Executive Order No. 21-3 establishes within DEEP a Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council ("CEEJAC"). According to the Executive Order, “[t]he purpose and mission of the CEEJAC is to advise the Commissioner of DEEP on current and historic environmental injustice, pollution reduction, energy equity, climate change mitigation and resiliency, health disparities, and racial inequity, including but not limited to the following:
A. Integrating environmental justice considerations into the programs, policies, and activities of DEEP to improve the health and environment of Environmental Justice Communities, in key areas including, but not limited to: (1) rulemaking, (2) permitting standards and processes, (3) compliance and enforcement, (4) science and data, and (5) equitable program delivery; providing mechanisms for Environmental Justice Communities to have a meaningful opportunity to participate in any decision; and
B. Providing mechanisms for Environmental Justice Communities to have a meaningful opportunity to participate in any decision to allow in such communities certain types of facilities which, by the nature of their activity, have the potential to increase environmental and public health stressors and where appropriate, to limit the further placement and expansion of such facilities in these communities;
C. Developing a model plan for community engagement and stakeholder outreach centered around meaningful participation; and
D. Strengthening DEEP’s partnerships with other governmental agencies, other states, tribal, local governments, and community leaders and organizations regarding environmental justice issues.
CEEJAC Membership & Meetings
The Executive Order authorizes the Commissioner of DEEP to appoint members of the CEEJAC, including at a minimum, the following non-agency members:
- three (3) representatives of Environmental Justice Communities, which for purposes of this order shall be defined as members of communities of color, members or representatives of low-income communities, representatives of community-based organizations, or academics with knowledge about or experience in environmental justice, climate change, racial inequity, or any other area determined by the Commissioner to be of value to the CEEJAC;
- three (3) representatives of Connecticut-based environmental advocacy organizations;
- two (2) representatives of large and small business and industry;
- two (2) representatives from municipalities or regional Councils of Government established pursuant to Chapter 127 of the Connecticut General Statutes;
The CEEJAC will also include representatives from the following State agencies: Department of Public Health (DPH); the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD); the Department of Housing (DOH); and the Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, the Executive Order directs the Commissioner of DEEP to appoint additional members to the CEEJAC as needed in furtherance of the purpose of the CEEJAC.
Each member of the CEEJAC (who is not a public official) shall serve a term of two years or until his or her successor is appointed. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the term of the member they succeed. DEEP is actively considering resources that the agency can provide to support equitable participation in the CEEJAC, including technical assistance to CEEJAC members, advance circulation of meeting agendas, the time of day and location of meetings, as well as any additional support that can be provided, and will update that information in coming weeks.
The Executive Order also authorizes the Commissioner to establish subcommittees or working groups of the CEEJAC to address specific topics, and to include in such subcommittees and working groups participants who are not otherwise members of the CEEJAC.
Past CEEJAC Meetings:
February 22, 2023 - CEEJAC Special Meeting
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February 8, 2023 - Air & Transportation Subcommittee
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June 28th 2022 - First CEEJAC Meeting
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September 13, 2022 - CEEJAC Information Session on Flooding
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September 27, 2022 - Quarterly Meeting
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November 29, 2022 - Water Subcommittee
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December 5, 2022 - Waste Subcommittee
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December 14, 2022 - Quarterly Meeting
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Vacancies/Nominations
The nomination process for new members has closed. The CEEJAC membership appointments are for two years.
For any questions related to the CEEJAC, please contact Edith.pestana@ct.gov.