Episode 26: Unpacking NEPA’s Evolving Impact on Environmental Justice Communities with Hannah Perls & Idalmis Vaquero

In this episode, we examine the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its critical role in environmental justice policy. NEPA remains one of the foundational laws for environmental protection, but to fully safeguard EJ communities, it’s essential that their priorities, values, and expertise shape how NEPA is implemented. We’re joined by Hannah Perls, Senior Staff Attorney with the Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program, and Idalmis Vaquero, Senior Policy Analyst at Just Solutions. Together, they discuss the recent changes under NEPA’s phase 2 regulations, which aim to strengthen protections, and examine the current status of implementation. Join us to learn how these updates impact EJ communities and the path forward for a more equitable policy landscape.