Photo: Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of the Environment Environmental Justice team led by Assistant Secretary Aneca Atkinson at the Environmental Justice Executive Order Signing (7/17/2025).
Everyone deserves clean air, clean land, and clean water.
We must ensure that communities of every culture, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background receive fair protection from environmental and health hazards, as well as equal access to decision-making processes for environmental policies.
Our state, nation, and world are increasingly dealing with the effects of climate change, including severe storms, extreme heat events, poor air quality from wildfires, and pollution from industry. The people most affected by these environmental challenges reside in our most underserved and overburdened communities, and as a result suffer disparate morbidity and mortality rates.
Environmental Justice is defined under Maryland state law as “equal protection from environmental and public health hazards for all people regardless of race, income, culture, and social status.” We are addressing environmental disparities by building relationships with communities and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to participate effectively in decision-making processes involving those who contribute to the issues.
The state has taken action to make the following improvements to environmental justice:
- Governor Wes Moore signed an
executive order called VOICE to foster a whole-of-government approach and advance engagement with communities.
- Secured one of the largest environmental
fines in history against an incineration plant in Curtis Bay.
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Appointed an assistant secretary for environmental justice, a coordinator, and a community liaison responsible for community awareness and resources.
- Collaborated with the community on a new
permit for the CSX coal terminal in South Baltimore, requiring construction of a wind screen to limit dust exposure.
To reach our team, please call
410-537-4125 or
e-mail us.
More Information
Photo: Secretary McIlwain meets students at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore at an event to install electric vehicle chargers. 