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| Continuing the Work in 2025
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Welcome Letter from the Director
Welcome to the Quarter 2, 2025, edition of the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) Newsletter.
As Director of OEJ, I am proud to share the meaningful work underway across the Commonwealth to advance environmental justice. From expanding public participation in decision-making to investing in community-driven initiatives, our efforts remain focused on ensuring fair treatment and meaningful involvement for all Pennsylvanians.
This quarter’s update highlights statewide engagement milestones, progress in integrating PennEnviroScreen, and our collective commitment to community-informed policy. convened 83 meetings with stakeholders and community leaders, hosted 12 events, participated in 33 partner-led events, and delivered 21 public presentations.
DEP facilitates meaningful public involvement by offering a combination of virtual and in-person engagement opportunities. These forums are essential to ensuring transparency, building trust, and elevating community voices—particularly in communities that have historically faced environmental burdens or barriers to participation. DEP encourages members of the public to attend public meetings, submit written comments, and utilize the following online tools to stay informed and to provide feedback on proposed permits, regulations, and environmental justice initiatives. Whether engaging from a local town hall or from home, members of the public play a vital role in shaping the policies and decisions that affect environmental health and equity across the Commonwealth.
Thank you for your continued partnership in promoting equity, transparency, and environmental stewardship.
Warm regards,
Mariana Fletcher, Director of The Office of Environmental Justice
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Southeast Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator
Jada La Fontaine joins the DEP Office of Environmental Justice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region III’s Environmental Justice Division. She brings a distinguished background in environmental policy, community engagement, and federal grants administration. Her expertise is grounded in cross-sector experience advancing urban environmental justice, having served with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Planning and Development, as well as the Overbrook Environmental Education Center. Ms. La Fontaine’s work has focused on empowering frontline communities through inclusive planning, climate resilience strategies, and equitable resource distribution. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to participatory justice and place-based environmental stewardship, which will enhance DEP’s regional and statewide outreach in the Southeast.
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For comprehensive information on environmental justice initiatives in Pennsylvania, community members, stakeholders, and partners are encouraged to visit DEP's Environmental Justice webpage. The site serves as a centralized resource hub, offering access to key documents and tools, including the full Environmental Justice Policy, the interactive PennEnviroScreen mapping tool, downloadable fact sheets, and grant opportunities that support community-led environmental improvement projects. The webpage also features resources to assist local governments, educators, and residents in understanding cumulative impacts, submitting opt-in requests, and participating in the permitting process. Whether you are seeking data, policy updates, or ways to get involved, the EJ webpage provides the most current and accessible information to support fair treatment and meaningful involvement across the Commonwealth.
Abandoned Mine Lands and Abandoned Mine Drainage (AML/AMD
DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR) is authorized to issue grants for the purpose of abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation and abandoned mine drainage (AMD) treatment or abatement. The second round of applications opens September 2, 2025. Please go to the DEP webpage for more information, including eligibility. All interested applicants are required to sign-up for a project consultation by August 1 or earlier for 2025.
Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant
The Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program provides reimbursement funding for public schools and regulated childcare facilities located in Pennsylvania for lead reduction activities. The Grant Program is open till June 30, 2026. For more information, please visit DEP's webpage here.
The Growing Greener Grant is Pennsylvania’s largest state investment for environmental issues. Applications for the 2025 grant are due June 20. The program supports various projects including farmland preservation, open space protection, state park improvements, abandoned mine cleanup, watershed restoration, recreational trails, and upgrading water and sewer systems. To receive direct notifications, sign-up on this webpage.
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PennEnviroScreen is fully integrated within the DEP permitting and programmatic review processes. As a screening and mapping tool, PennEnviroScreen is used to identify areas of greater environmental justice (EJ) exposures and effects by analyzing environmental, health, and socioeconomic burdens across the Commonwealth. DEP staff utilize PennEnviroScreen during the permit review process to evaluate where enhanced public participation may apply .To support public understanding and application of the tool, DEP published PennEnviroScreen At-A-Glance, which provides a user-friendly summary of the tool’s structure, indicators, and use cases. This overview is especially helpful for members of the public seeking to interpret the features of PennEnviroScreen.
PennEnviroScreen scores are calculated that combine a combination of environmental hazard indicators and demographic metrics. A detailed explanation of the scoring algorithm and indicator weighting can be found in the Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Mapping and Screening Tool (PennEnviroScreen) Methodology Documentation 2023 (pp. 4–7). Users are encouraged to review this methodology to understand how factors such as air quality, proximity to pollution sources, linguistic isolation, and poverty contribute to the final composite PennEnviroScreen Scores.
PennEnviroScreen supports the administration and implementation of DEP’s EJ Policy. For more information on current projects that trigger the EJ Policy or that have been opted-in to enhanced public participation, please refer to the Public Participation Policy webpage under the section titled Policy Highlights.
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Statewide and Regional Program Highlights
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Beaver County Launches Native Tree Nursery and Education Center
In April 2025, Reforest Our Future celebrated the grand opening of the Native Tree Nursery and Environmental Education Center at Brady’s Run Park in Beaver County with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Native Tree Nursery and Environmental Education Center will serve as a key site for reforestation efforts and a hub for public environmental programming, particularly focused on native species propagation and ecological restoration practices. The center will support long-term resilience-building in Beaver County and serve as a model for collaborative mitigation initiatives statewide.
DEP was proudly represented at the event by Special Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice Fernando Treviño, along with DEP’s Southwest Regional Director Eric Gustafson, Southwest Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Emily Green, and other DEP staff. By attending the event, DEP leadership underscored its ongoing commitment to supporting community-driven, environmentally just outcomes through transparent partnerships and direct investment in local capacity.
This initiative marks a major investment in community-based environmental restoration and education across Western Pennsylvania. A $292,071 award from the Beaver County Environmental Community Mitigation Fund enabled the project, a resource established as part of an agreement between Shell Chemical Appalachia and the DEP. The Fund was facilitated by DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice, and The Pittsburgh Foundation served as the official trustee.
OEJ Presents at the Pennsylvania Health Equity Conference
Harry Hoy, Jordi Comas, and Justin Dula represented DEP at the Health Equity Conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity. Their joint presentation highlighted the integration of environmental justice screening into public health dialogue by demonstrating how PennEnviroScreen—can be applied to inform health equity considerations across communities of disproportionate environmental burdens.
The session emphasized how PennEnviroScreen’s indicators can be utilized by state agencies, local health departments, and environmental health practitioners to identify areas of elevated risk. The presentation further illustrated the tool’s relevance to interagency collaborations and policy alignment. ensuring that environmental permitting and programmatic decisions consider the lived experiences and health conditions of populations with cumulative environmental burdens.
The presenters fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between agencies responsible for environmental protection and public health. It also reinforced DEP’s commitment to centering equity in environmental governance by using data-driven approaches to support communities historically under-represented in the decision-making processes.
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In recognition of Earth Day, Regional Coordinator Elspeth Koehle joined staff from the Northwest Regional Office on April 23 to participate in a local Adopt-A-Highway cleanup event, reinforcing the Department’s commitment to environmental stewardship through direct community action.
In March 2025, Southwest Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Emily Green, in coordination with the Southwest Regional Office, facilitated a public meeting and hearing focused on significant environmental permitting projects in the region. The events addressed two major proposals: the proposed expansion of the Mark West Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant and the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill. These DEP-hosted forums provided an important platform for members of the public to learn about the environmental implications of the proposed projects, ask questions, and submit formal public comments.
In Spring 2025, Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Jordi Comas actively supported the Northcentral Regional Office at a series of educational outreach events designed to promote environmental awareness and strengthen community partnerships. Mr. Comas participated in a regional environmental expo in Columbia County, where DEP shared information on regulatory processes, environmental justice, and local initiatives. He also represented the DEP at the Earth Day Community Fair in Sunbury, located in Northumberland County, where attendees learned about environmental stewardship, DEP resources, and opportunities for public involvement in permitting decisions.
Continuing its mission of proactive engagement, members of OEJ joined staff in the DEP Northcentral Regional Office on a series of intergovernmental visits to Bradford, Clearfield, and Tioga counties. These meetings included direct dialogue with municipal officials, county agencies, and community stakeholders to build stronger local relationships and identify barriers to public participation in DEP processes. One of the key objectives of these regional visits was to expand environmental justice outreach and increase office hour availability in communities with disproportionate environmental burdens.
In alignment with Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week—a global initiative dedicated to increasing awareness and education on climate justice—Southcentral Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Ariana Genna hosted a public presentation at Shippensburg University on April 7, 2025. The event focused on the intersection of climate change, environmental justice, and state-level policy, highlighting DEP’s commitment to equitable environmental governance through the and tools like PennEnviroScreen.
Ms. Genna’s presentation introduced students, faculty, and community attendees to DEP’s environmental justice framework and illustrated how historically overburdened communities in Pennsylvania are disproportionately impacted by both environmental degradation and climate-related hazards. She emphasized the need to include diverse voices in policymaking, interagency coordination, and the role of public participation in ensuring fair treatment of all residents, particularly in the context of climate resilience and adaptation planning. The session provided an opportunity for university stakeholders to engage directly with DEP, ask questions, and explore ways students can get involved in environmental protection and public service careers.
This engagement reflects DEP’s broader strategy to partner with academic institutions across the Commonwealth to build capacity, foster civic dialogue, and cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders grounded in justice and equity.
On April 23, 2025, Northeast Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Maria Ocasio visited Holy Redeemer High School to deliver a student-centered Earth Day presentation focused on environmental stewardship and the principles of Environmental Justice (EJ). The presentation emphasized the importance of community engagement, fair treatment, and the role of youth in addressing environmental challenges across Pennsylvania. Students actively participated in the discussion, offering insightful and creative suggestions to address localized environmental issues, such as improving recycling practices, enhancing green spaces, and increasing public awareness of pollution sources in their communities.
Continuing her outreach efforts, Ms. Ocasio joined staff from DEP’s Northeast Regional Office on May 8 at the Hydromania Festival, held at Cedar Crest College in the Lehigh Valley. The festival welcomed over 1,200 elementary school students from 15 different schools and featured hands-on learning stations designed to educate participants about Pennsylvania’s water resources and the role of DEP in safeguarding public health and the environment. Ms. Ocasio and colleagues shared information on regulatory programs, including drinking water protection, watershed health, and stormwater management.
In March and May, the Southeast Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Amani Reid participated in Career Day at William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs, presenting career pathways in environmental protection and public service to high school students, and supported the Discovery Center’s Community Resource Event. Members of DEP also attended the EcoPhilly Climate Ministries Summit in Rosemont, PA to support interfaith environmental justice efforts.
- In April 29, the new Southeast Environmental Justice Coordinator Jada La Fontaine joined Air Quality program staff to install air monitors at Eyre Park and Delaware County State Health Center as part of the Environmental Protection Agency American Rescue Plan - Enhanced Community Air Monitoring Grant.
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Environmental Justice Advisory Board Meeting Announcements
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The Environmental Justice Advisory Board makes recommendations to the DEP Secretary concerning policies, practices, and actions that DEP may implement to advance the goals of Environmental Justice. For more information, please visit the Environmental Justice Advisory Board page.
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Public Participation Spotlight and Opportunities
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Opportunities for public participation—including regulatory and statutory updates, permits, and policy changes—can be found on DEP's Public Participation webpage. You may search for specific permits and projects by utilizing eFACTS and eNOTICE. Current projects that trigger the Environmental Justice Policy or Opt-In provisions are listed on the Public Participation Policy webpage under the section titled Policy Highlights.
On June 4 at 6:00 PM DEP will host a public meeting and hearing at the Tremont Borough Gymnasium, address 139 Clay Street, Tremont PA 17981, regarding Liberty Soils, a biosolids processing facility in Schuylkill County. Please visit the community information page for details. For more information, contact the Northeast Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator mocasio@pa.gov.
On June 10 at 6:00 PM DEP will host an Information Meeting at Latham Hall on Widener University, address 1301 Potter St, Chester, PA 19013 regarding the Air Quality Plan Approval Application from Western Fumigation at Penn Terminals. For more information, please reach out to the Southeastern Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator jlafontain@pa.gov.
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| We invite you to share our Environmental Justice newsletter with your family, friends, & professional networks. Sign up here to receive updates. To receive general updates related to environmental justice, self-enroll here. Report environmental concerns through DEP’s Complaint Tool
Office of Environmental Justice Staff Contacts:
Fernando Treviño – Special Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice: ftrevino@pa.gov
Mariana Fletcher – Director of the Office of Environmental Justice: marifletch@pa.gov
Andrea Fields – Deputy Director of the Office of Environmental Justice: afields@pa.gov
Justin Dula – Senior Advisor to the Office of Environmental Justice: jdula@pa.gov
Harry Hoy – Governor's Science and Technology Fellow: hhoy@pa.gov
Elspeth Koehle – NW Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator: ekoehle@pa.gov
Emily Green – SW Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator: emgreen@pa.gov
Jordi Comas – NC Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator: jcomas@pa.gov
Dong Yoon Kim – SC Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator: dokim@pa.gov
Maria Ocasio – NE Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator: maocasio@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Section 27:
“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people” (Pa. Const. art. I, § 27).
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17101
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