MADISON, WI — Today, Governor Evers issued Executive Order 161 creating the Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Administration. The Executive Order sites the history of environmental injustices, warming climate, and the connection to health impacts on the communities impacted by these injustices.
In response, Sierra Club Wisconsin Director Elizabeth Ward released the following statement:
“We applaud Governor Evers’ announcement. This announcement couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Environmental injustices are vast across Wisconsin. Black and Latinx households in Milwaukee are experiencing disproportionately high energy burden and pollution from lead pipes needing replacement. Enbridge is proposing a new segment of the Line 5 pipeline in Lake Superior Chippewa ceded territory, despite opposition from the Bad River Band. The state is moving forward with the I94 highway expansion proposal in Milwaukee, despite the harm that would be caused to People of Color in Milwaukee.
We are living in a time of looming climate change and deep racial injustices, compounded by a global pandemic. We are looking forward to working with the Office of Environmental Justice to reduce these harms.”
