Victories, Beyond the Courtroom
Meagan Niebler
Changing the System for Environmental Justice: ...

How Can We Help You?

As environmental justice and law nonprofit, we are excited to support systems-change that strengthen environmental justice outcomes.  This can include:

  • Building Connections

  • Legal “Translation” + Bridging Information

  • Researching, Strategizing, and Educating about Legal and Policy Levers

  • Drafting Generalized Legal and Policy Templates

  • Engaging Community and Amplifying Issues

We can provide any of this support to nonprofits, coalitions, residents, and municipalities at no-cost.  Please reach out today and let’s get to work.

Changing the System for Environmental Justice: Fair Shake’s Role in Keeping Pittsburgh Water Public
Beyond the Courtroom, Tips/info
Guest User
A Win for Ohio: Legislation Fights Back Against ...

Ohio has recently passed legislation that will protect activists against SLAPP suits - so what are these suits and why is this legislation so important?

WHAT IS A SLAPP SUIT?

SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These are lawsuits aimed at silencing criticism and draining the resources of those who speak up against certain organizations.

A Win for Ohio: Legislation Fights Back Against SLAPP Suits
Tips/info
Meagan Niebler
Environmental Justice Advisory Boards - A ...

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.

Environmental Justice Advisory Boards - A Scorecard for States
Legal Lowdown
Brooke Christy
The landscape of environmental activism ...

We hope this blog can help shed some light on what Chevron was, why it was created, and how environmental advocates may be able to fill the gaps left in its place.  

The landscape of environmental activism post-Chevron
Guest User
24 Women and Non-Binary Environmentalists to ...

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services would like to highlight these twenty-four champions of the environment in honor of Women’s History Month 2024. The Climate Crisis is not gender neutral—uplifting the voices of women and non-binary environmentalists is crucial to building sustainable environmental justice and conservation efforts. We want to take the time to celebrate the contributions of these amazing advocates and the inspiration they continue to provide us with to live in harmony with our planet and fiercely protect the places where we live, work, and play. 

24 Women and Non-Binary Environmentalists to Know in 2024

Why Civic Engagement is Essential to the Continued Evolution of the Environmental Movement

Why Civic Engagement is Essential to the Continued Evolution of the Environmental Movement

In April of 2020, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, many Sunshine Laws were indefinitely suspended throughout the country. Courtrooms began to hold virtual hearings and trials over telecommunication platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Teams. The Ohio Office of Attorney General announced, “… with the COVID-19 pandemic persisting, the General Assembly passed House Bill 197 and then H.B. 404, giving public bodies the ability to meet virtually instead of in person, as required by Ohio’s Open Meetings Act (R.C. 121.22).”  Public bodies were no longer required to hold in-person meetings, hearings, and trials; rather, many public meetings and hearings became virtual. While numerous states have reinstated their Open Meeting/Sunshine Laws, others have continued to utilize telecommunications and hold most of their meetings, trials, and hearings virtually.  

SCOTUS' Decision in West Virginia vs. EPA Weakens Federal Climate Efforts

SCOTUS' Decision in West Virginia vs. EPA Weakens Federal Climate Efforts

On June 30th, the Supreme Court weakened the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to protect the environment. In West Virginia v. EPA, a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts and joined by the other conservative justices, the Court ruled the EPA overreached in its efforts to curb air pollution. This decision forebodes more significant limitations on the EPA and other government agencies’ efforts to effectuate change. The ruling also makes clear what many environmental advocates already knew: the federal government, as currently designed, will not be the leader in the fight against climate change. Grassroots movements, community-oriented advocacy, and mass mobilization are essential in the effort to protect the planet, now more than ever. 

Ohio Dedicates Funding to Appalachia Revitalization

Ohio Dedicates Funding to Appalachia Revitalization

Last week Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 377 into law establishing the Appalachian Community Grant Program to the tune of $500 million. The program provides the historically economically disadvantaged region with much needed funding dedicated to sustainable, transformational projects. The program aims to rejuvenate the region and stimulate economic growth through improvements in infrastructure, workforce development, and healthcare across its 32 counties.

Fracking Wastewater Concerns Resurface on Pennsylvania Roads as the DEP Undergoes an Evaluation of Coproduct Determinations

Fracking Wastewater Concerns Resurface on Pennsylvania Roads as the DEP Undergoes an Evaluation of Coproduct Determinations

Fair Shake and Fractracker Alliance are asking you to take action and raise awareness of spreading brine wastewater on roads to protect our communities’ health and environment from chemical contamination. If you see this being performed in your community, notify Fair Shake here. It would be helpful to us to know which township or borough the spreading was observed in and if a specific company was performing the spreading. Your contributions will help us obtain further information on this practice to help stop it going forward.

Winning on Environmental Issues Starts with Participation in Your Community

Winning on Environmental Issues Starts with Participation in Your Community

A key part to effectively make your voice heard is early and vocal participation in municipality-level public meetings in which decisions are made.  In many cases, if a decision is made during a public meeting which you did not attend, you may be barred from later bringing an appeal of the decision in court, regardless of how erroneous the decision made is. 

Stay in touch!

 
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