Navigating electoral advocacy as a 501(c)(3) is not always easy but we have some great tips for those that are interested.
An Environmental Justice Advisory Board (EJAB) is a group that advises government agencies on issues related to environmental justice, ensuring that policies and actions address the needs and concerns of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental harms. These boards play a crucial role in promoting fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in environmental decision-making processes. The importance of EJABs lies in their ability to bridge the gap between communities and policymakers, advocating for equitable solutions to environmental challenges. The goal of this document is to compare the strengths and weaknesses of different EJAB bylaws to provide informed recommendations for communities to advocate for strong Board structures that have the power to move their vision and needs forward.
The employee spotlight this week is Ryan Hamilton. He grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania. He studied at Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania where he got his B.A in Philosophy and English. He got his law degree with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law at Lewis and Clark Law School.
On May 16th, 2019 I had the honor of testifying before congress on the impacts of water pollution, above and below ground, from oil and gas development (Link to full video).
On May 21, 2019, the PA Supreme Court denied our request, on behalf of Protect PT, to review decisions of the Commonwealth Court upholding the Penn Township Zoning Hearing Board’s approval of four unconventional well pads. Protect PT and Fair Shake are disappointed that the Supreme Court was not willing to review this decision. We feel that the lower court’s rulings will allow unsafe practices in Penn Township to continue unchecked and denying further review of these rulings will perpetuate these conditions throughout Pennsylvania. Despite the disappointment our hope is that the case serves as an important lesson for citizens and municipalities across the state.
