Environmental Justice Bill Sharpens Civil Rights Litigation Tool

Environmental justice advocates will get powerful new tools if Congress advances an ambitious plan to arm communities that bear the brunt of pollution.

Democrats in the House and Senate last month introduced legislation that would allow legal challenges to federally funded actions—such as highway plans, emissions standards, or agriculture permits—that may disproportionately harm communities of color even when the alleged discrimination is unintentional.

The Environmental Justice For All Act would amend Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, upending U.S. Supreme Court precedent and opening up a new route to fight discrimination.

“It would be a game-changer,” University ...