Environmental Justice Act of 2017

To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Environmental Justice Act of 2017 2. Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to require Federal agencies to address and eliminate the disproportionate environmental and human health impacts on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities; (2) to ensure that all Federal agencies develop and enforce rules, regulations, guidance, standards, policies, plans, and practices that promote environmental justice; (3) to increase cooperation and require coordination among Federal agencies in achieving environmental justice; (4) to provide to communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities greater access to public information and opportunities for participation in decisionmaking affecting human health and the environment; (5) to mitigate the inequitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of Federal programs having significant impacts on human health and the environment; (6) to require consideration of cumulative impacts in permitting decisions; (7) to clarify congressional intent to afford rights of action pursuant to certain statutes and common law claims; and (8) to allow a private right of action under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000d 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Citizen science The term citizen science (3) Community of color The term community of color (4) Environmental justice The term environmental justice (A) communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities have access to public information and opportunities for meaningful public participation relating to human health and environmental planning, regulations, and enforcement; (B) no community of color, indigenous community, or low-income community shall be exposed to a disproportionate burden of the negative human health and environmental impacts of pollution or other environmental hazards; and (C) the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice written and adopted at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit held on October 24 through 27, 1991, in Washington, DC, are upheld. (5) Federal agency The term Federal agency (A) each Federal agency represented on the Working Group; and (B) any other Federal agency that the President may designate that carries out a Federal program or activity that substantially affects human health or the environment. (6) Infrastructure The term infrastructure (7) Publish The term publish (A) generally accessible, including on the Internet and in public libraries; and (B) accessible for— (i) individuals who are limited in English proficiency, in accordance with Executive Order 13166 (65 Fed. Reg. 50121 (August 16, 2000)); and (ii) individuals with disabilities. (8) Working Group The term Working Group 42 U.S.C. 4321 4. Interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene, as appropriate to carry out this section, the Working Group. (b) Requirements (1) Composition The Working Group shall be comprised of the following (or a designee): (A) The Secretary of Agriculture. (B) The Secretary of Commerce. (C) The Secretary of Defense. (D) The Secretary of Energy. (E) The Secretary of Health and Human Services. (F) The Secretary of Homeland Security. (G) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (H) The Secretary of the Interior. (I) The Secretary of Labor. (J) The Secretary of Transportation. (K) The Attorney General. (L) The Administrator. (M) The Director of the Office of Environmental Justice. (N) The Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (O) The Chairperson of the Chemical Safety Board. (P) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Q) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (R) The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. (S) The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. (T) The Director of the National Economic Council. (U) The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. (V) Such other Federal officials as the President may designate. (2) Functions The Working Group shall— (A) report to the President through the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy; (B) provide guidance to Federal agencies regarding criteria for identifying disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects— (i) on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities; and (ii) on the basis of race, color, national origin, or income; (C) coordinate with, provide guidance to, and serve as a clearinghouse for, each Federal agency with respect to the implementation and updating of an environmental justice strategy required under this Act, in order to ensure that the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of programs, activities, and policies are carried out in a consistent manner; (D) assist in coordinating research by, and stimulating cooperation among, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other Federal agencies conducting research or other activities in accordance with this Act; (E) identify, based in part on public recommendations contained in Federal agency progress reports, important areas for Federal agencies to take into consideration and address, as appropriate, in environmental justice strategies and other efforts; (F) assist in coordinating data collection and maintaining and updating appropriate databases, as required by this Act; (G) examine existing data and studies relating to environmental justice; (H) hold public meetings and otherwise solicit public participation under paragraph (3); and (I) develop interagency model projects relating to environmental justice that demonstrate cooperation among Federal agencies. (3) Public participation The Working Group shall— (A) hold public meetings or otherwise solicit public participation and citizen science for the purpose of fact-finding with respect to the implementation of this Act; and (B) prepare for public review and publish a summary of any comments and recommendations provided. (c) Judicial review and rights of action Any person may commence a civil action— (1) to seek relief from, or to compel, an agency action under this section (including regulations promulgated pursuant to this section); or (2) otherwise to ensure compliance with this section (including regulations promulgated pursuant to this section). 5. Federal agency actions to address environmental justice (a) Federal agency responsibilities (1) Environmental justice mission To the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, each Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of the mission of the Federal agency by identifying, addressing, and mitigating disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of the programs, policies, and activities of the Federal agency on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities in the United States (including the territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia). (2) Nondiscrimination Each Federal agency shall conduct any program, policy, or activity that substantially affects human health or the environment in a manner that ensures that the program, policy, or activity does not have the effect of excluding any individual or group from participation in, denying any individual or group the benefits of, or subjecting any individual or group to discrimination under, the program, policy, or activity because of race, color, or national origin. (3) Strategies (A) Agencywide strategies Each Federal agency shall implement and update, not less frequently than annually, an agencywide environmental justice strategy that identifies and addresses disproportionally high and adverse human health or environmental effects of the programs, policies, spending, and other activities of the Federal agency with respect to communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities, including, as appropriate for the mission of the Federal agency, with respect to the following areas: (i) Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (ii) Implementation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000d (iii) Implementation of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 (iv) Impacts from the lack of infrastructure, or from deteriorated infrastructure. (v) Impacts from land use. (vi) Impacts from climate change. (vii) Impacts from commercial transportation. (B) Revisions (i) In general Each strategy developed and updated pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall identify programs, policies, planning and public participation processes, rulemaking, agency spending, and enforcement activities relating to human health or the environment that may be revised, at a minimum— (I) to promote enforcement of all health, environmental, and civil rights laws and regulations in areas containing communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities; (II) to ensure greater public participation; (III) to provide increased access to infrastructure; (IV) to improve research and data collection relating to the health and environment of communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities, including through the increased use of citizen science; and (V) to identify differential patterns of use of natural resources among communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities. (ii) Timetables Each strategy implemented and updated pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include a timetable for undertaking revisions identified pursuant to clause (i). (C) Progress reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, each Federal agency shall submit to Congress and the Working Group, and shall publish, a progress report that includes, with respect to the period covered by the report— (i) a description of the current environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency; (ii) an evaluation of the progress made by the Federal agency at national and regional levels regarding implementation of the environmental justice strategy, including— (I) metrics used by the Federal agency to measure performance; and (II) the progress made by the Federal agency toward— (aa) the achievement of the metrics described in subclause (I); and (bb) mitigating identified instances of environmental injustice; (iii) a description of the participation by the Federal agency in interagency collaboration; (iv) responses to recommendations submitted by members of the public to the Federal agency relating to the environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency and the implementation by the Federal agency of this Act; and (v) any updates or revisions to the environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency, including those resulting from public comments. (4) Public participation Each Federal agency shall— (A) ensure that meaningful opportunities exist for the public to submit comments and recommendations relating to the environmental justice strategy, progress reports, and ongoing efforts of the Federal agency to incorporate environmental justice principles into the programs, policies, and activities of the Federal agency; (B) hold public meetings or otherwise solicit public participation and citizen science from communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities for the purpose of fact-finding and policy development, receiving public comments, and conducting inquiries concerning environmental justice; and (C) prepare for public review and publish a summary of the comments and recommendations provided. (5) Access to information Each Federal agency shall— (A) publish public documents, notices, and hearings relating to the programs, policies, and activities of the Federal agency that affect human health or the environment; and (B) translate and publish any public documents, notices, and hearings relating to an action of the Federal agency as appropriate for the affected population, specifically in any case in which a limited English-speaking population may be disproportionately affected by that action. (6) Codification of guidance (A) Council on Environmental Quality Notwithstanding any other provision of law, sections II and III of the guidance issued by the Council on Environmental Quality entitled Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act (B) Environmental Protection Agency Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the guidance issued by the Environmental Protection Agency entitled EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights (b) Human health and environmental research, data collection, and analysis (1) Research Each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall— (A) in conducting environmental or human health research, include diverse segments of the population in epidemiological and clinical studies, including segments at high risk from environmental hazards, such as— (i) communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities; and (ii) workers who may be exposed to substantial environmental hazards; (B) in conducting environmental or human health analyses, identify multiple and cumulative exposures; and (C) actively encourage and solicit citizen science, and provide to communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities the opportunity to comment regarding the development and design of research strategies carried out pursuant to this Act. (2) Disproportionate impact To the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law (including section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Privacy Act (A) collect, maintain, and analyze information assessing and comparing environmental and human health risks borne by populations identified by race, national origin, or income; and (B) use that information to determine whether the programs, policies, and activities of the Federal agency have disproportionally high and adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities. (3) Information relating to non-Federal facilities In connection with the implementation of Federal agency strategies under subsection (a)(3), each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall collect, maintain, and analyze information relating to the race, national origin, and income level, and other readily accessible and appropriate information, for areas surrounding any facility or site expected to have a substantial environmental, human health, or economic effect on the surrounding populations, if the facility or site becomes the subject of a substantial Federal environmental administrative or judicial action. (4) Impact from Federal facilities Each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall collect, maintain, and analyze information relating to the race, national origin, and income level, and other readily accessible and appropriate information, for areas surrounding any facility of the Federal agency that is— (A) subject to the reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 ( 42 U.S.C. 11001 42 U.S.C. 4321 (B) expected to have a substantial environmental, human health, or economic effect on surrounding populations. (c) Consumption of fish and wildlife (1) In general Each Federal agency shall develop, publish (unless prohibited by law), and revise, as practicable and appropriate, guidance on actions of the Federal agency that will impact fish and wildlife consumed by populations that principally rely on fish or wildlife for subsistence. (2) Requirement The guidance described in paragraph (1) shall— (A) reflect the latest scientific information available concerning methods for evaluating the human health risks associated with the consumption of pollutant-bearing fish or wildlife; and (B) publish the risks of such consumption patterns. (d) Mapping and screening tool The Administrator shall continue to make available to the public an environmental justice mapping and screening tool (such as EJScreen or an equivalent tool) that includes, at a minimum, the following features: (1) Nationally consistent data. (2) Environmental data. (3) Demographic data, including data relating to race, ethnicity, and income. (4) Capacity to produce maps and reports by geographical area. (e) Judicial review and rights of action Any person may commence a civil action— (1) to seek relief from, or to compel, an agency action under this section (including regulations promulgated pursuant to this section); or (2) otherwise to ensure compliance with this section (including regulations promulgated pursuant to this section). (f) Information sharing In carrying out this section, each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall share information and eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts through the use of existing data systems and cooperative agreements among Federal agencies and with State, local, and Tribal governments. 6. National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (a) Establishment The establishment by the Administrator on September 30, 1993, by charter pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act Advisory Council (b) Duties The Advisory Council may carry out such duties as were carried out by the Advisory Council on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, subject to modification by the Administrator, by regulation. (c) Membership The membership of the Advisory Council shall— (1) be determined and appointed in accordance with, as applicable— (A) the charter described in subsection (a) (or any subsequent amendment or revision of that charter); or (B) other appropriate bylaws or documents of the Advisory Council, as determined by the Administrator; and (2) continue in effect as in existence on the day before the date of enactment of this Act until modified in accordance with paragraph (1). (d) Designated Federal officer The Director of the Office of Environmental Justice of the Environmental Protection Agency is designated as the Federal officer required under section 10(e) (e) Meetings (1) In general The Advisory Council shall meet not less frequently than 3 times each calendar year. (2) Open to public Each meeting of the Advisory Council shall be held open to the public. (3) Designated Federal officer The designated Federal officer described in subsection (d) (or a designee) shall— (A) be present at each meeting of the Advisory Council; (B) ensure that each meeting is conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance by the designated Federal officer; (C) provide an opportunity for interested persons— (i) to file comments before or after each meeting of the Advisory Council; or (ii) to make statements at such a meeting, to the extent that time permits; (D) ensure that a representative of the Working Group and a high-level representative from each regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency are invited to, and encouraged to attend, each meeting of the Advisory Council; and (E) provide technical assistance to States seeking to establish State-level environmental justice advisory councils or implement other environmental justice policies or programs. (f) Responses from Administrator (1) Public comment inquiries The Administrator shall provide a written response to each inquiry submitted to the Administrator by a member of the public before or after each meeting of the Advisory Council by not later than 120 days after the date of submission. (2) Recommendations from Advisory Council The Administrator shall provide a written response to each recommendation submitted to the Administrator by the Advisory Council by not later than 120 days after the date of submission. (g) Travel expenses A member of the Advisory Council may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at such rate as the Administrator determines to be appropriate while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council. (h) Duration The Advisory Council shall remain in existence unless otherwise provided by law. 7. Environmental justice grant programs (a) In general The Administrator shall continue to carry out the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program and the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, as those programs are in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. (b) CARE grants The Administrator shall continue to carry out the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant programs I and II, as in existence on January 1, 2012. (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the programs described in subsections (a) and (b) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2027. 8. Consideration of cumulative impacts and persistent violations in certain permitting decisions (a) Federal Water Pollution Control Act Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 (1) by striking the section designation and heading and all that follows through Except as 402. National pollutant discharge elimination system (a) Permits issued by Administrator (1) In general Except as ; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking upon condition that such discharge will meet either (A) all subject to the conditions that— (A) the discharge will achieve compliance with, as applicable— (i) all ; (ii) by striking 403 of this Act, or (B) prior 403; or (ii) prior ; and (iii) by striking this Act. this Act; and (B) with respect to the issuance or renewal of the permit— (i) based on an analysis by the Administrator of existing water quality and the potential cumulative impacts (as defined in section 501 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7661 (ii) if the Administrator determines that, due to those potential cumulative impacts, there does not exist a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation, the permit or renewal includes such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines to be necessary to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm. ; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking assure compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, including conditions on data and information collection, reporting, and such other requirements as he deems appropriate. ensure compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1), including— (A) conditions relating to— (i) data and information collection; (ii) reporting; and (iii) such other requirements as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; and (B) additional controls or pollution prevention requirements. ; and (3) in subsection (b)— (A) in each of paragraphs (1)(D), (2)(B), and (3) through (7), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (B) in paragraph (8), by striking ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (10) To ensure that no permit will be issued or renewed if, with respect to an application for the permit, the State determines, based on an analysis by the State of existing water quality and the potential cumulative impacts (as defined in section 501 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7661 . (b) Clean Air Act (1) Definitions Section 501 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7661 (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking As used in this title— In this title: (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (3), (5), and (4), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Cumulative impacts The term cumulative impacts (A) including— (i) environmental pollution released— (I) (aa) routinely; (bb) accidentally; or (cc) otherwise; and (II) from any source, whether single or multiple; and (ii) as assessed based on the combined past, present, and reasonably foreseeable emissions and discharges affecting the geographical area; and (B) evaluated taking into account sensitive populations and socioeconomic factors, where applicable. . (2) Permit programs Section 502(b) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7661a(b) (A) in paragraph (5)— (i) in subparagraphs (A) and (C), by striking assure ensure (ii) by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following: (F) ensure that no permit will be issued or renewed, as applicable, if— (i) with respect to an application for a permit or renewal of a permit for a major source, the permitting authority determines under paragraph (9)(A)(i)(II)(bb) that the terms and conditions of the permit or renewal would not be sufficient to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation, of the applicable census tracts or Tribal census tracts (as those terms are defined by the Director of the Bureau of the Census); or (ii) the Administrator objects to the issuance of the permit in a timely manner under this title. ; and (B) in paragraph (9)— (i) in the fourth sentence, by striking Such permit revision (iii) Treatment as renewal A permit revision under this paragraph ; (ii) in the third sentence, by striking No such revision shall (ii) Exception A revision under this paragraph shall not ; (iii) in the second sentence, by striking Such revisions (B) Revision requirements (i) Deadline A revision described in subparagraph (A)(ii) ; and (iv) by striking the paragraph designation and all that follows through shall require (9) Major sources (A) In general With respect to any permit or renewal of a permit, as applicable, for a major source, a requirement that the permitting authority shall— (i) in determining whether to issue or renew the permit— (I) evaluate the potential cumulative impacts of the proposed major source, as described in the applicable cumulative impacts analysis submitted under section 503(b)(3); (II) if, due to those potential cumulative impacts, the permitting authority cannot determine that there exists a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation, of any census tracts or Tribal census tracts (as those terms are defined by the Director of the Bureau of the Census) located in, or immediately adjacent to, the area in which the major source is, or is proposed to be, located— (aa) include in the permit or renewal such terms and conditions (including additional controls or pollution prevention requirements) as the permitting authority determines to be necessary to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm; or (bb) if the permitting authority determines that terms and conditions described in item (aa) would not be sufficient to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm, deny the issuance or renewal of the permit; (III) determine whether the applicant is a persistent violator, based on such criteria relating to the history of compliance by an applicant with this Act as the Administrator shall establish by not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Environmental Justice Act of 2017 (IV) if the permitting authority determines under subclause (III) that the applicant is a persistent violator and the permitting authority does not deny the issuance or renewal of the permit pursuant to subclause (V)(bb)— (aa) require the applicant to submit a redemption plan that describes— (AA) if the applicant is not compliance with this Act, measures the applicant will carry out to achieve that compliance, together with an approximate deadline for that achievement; (BB) measures the applicant will carry out, or has carried out to ensure the applicant will remain in compliance with this Act, and to mitigate the environmental and health effects of noncompliance; and (CC) the measures the applicant has carried out in preparing the redemption plan to consult or negotiate with the communities affected by each persistent violation addressed in the plan; and (bb) once such a redemption plan is submitted, determine whether the plan is adequate to ensuring that the applicant— (AA) will achieve compliance with this Act expeditiously; (BB) will remain in compliance with this Act; (CC) will mitigate the environmental and health effects of noncompliance; and (DD) has solicited and responded to community input regarding the redemption plan; and (V) deny the issuance or renewal of the permit if the permitting authority determines that— (aa) the redemption plan submitted under subclause (IV)(aa) is inadequate; or (bb) (AA) the applicant has submitted a redemption plan on a prior occasion, but continues to be a persistent violator; and (BB) no indication exists of extremely exigent circumstances excusing the persistent violations; and (ii) in the case of such a permit with a term of 3 years or longer, require in accordance with subparagraph (B). . (3) Permit applications Section 503(b) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7661b(b) (3) Major source analyses The regulations required by section 502(b) shall include a requirement that an applicant for a permit or renewal of a permit for a major source shall submit, together with the compliance plan required under this subsection, a cumulative impacts analysis for each census tract or Tribal census tract (as those terms are defined by the Director of the Bureau of the Census) located in, or immediately adjacent to, the area in which the major source is, or is proposed to be, located that analyzes— (A) community demographics and locations of community exposure points, such as schools, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, health clinics, places of religious worship, parks, playgrounds, and community centers; (B) air quality and the potential effect on that air quality of emissions of air pollutants (including pollutants listed under section 108 or 112) from the proposed major source, including in combination with existing sources of pollutants; (C) the potential effects on soil quality and water quality of emissions of lead and other air pollutants that could contaminate soil or water from the proposed major source, including in combination with existing sources of pollutants; and (D) public health and any potential effects on public health of the proposed major source. . 9. Implied rights of action and common law claims Section 505 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1365 (i) Effect on implied rights of action and common law claims (1) Definition of covered Act In this subsection: (A) In general The term covered Act (i) this Act; (ii) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 7 U.S.C. 136 (iii) the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 ( 30 U.S.C. 1201 (iv) the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 ( 33 U.S.C. 1401 (v) the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300f (vi) the Solid Waste Disposal Act 42 U.S.C. 6901 (vii) the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 (viii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 42 U.S.C. 9601 (ix) any other Act administered by the Administrator. (B) Inclusions The term covered Act (2) Effect Nothing in a covered Act precludes the right to bring an action— (A) under section 1979 of the Revised Statutes ( 42 U.S.C. 1983 (B) that is implied under— (i) a covered Act; or (ii) common law. (3) Application Nothing in this section precludes the right to bring an action under any provision of law that is not a covered Act. . 10. Private rights of action for discriminatory practices (a) Right of action Section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 42 U.S.C. 2000d–1 (1) by inserting (a) Each Federal department and agency which is empowered (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Any person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with this title, including any regulation promulgated pursuant to this title, may bring a civil action in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction to enforce such person’s rights under this title. . (b) Effective date (1) In general This section, including the amendments made by this section, takes effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Application This section, including the amendments made by this section, applies to all actions or proceedings pending on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Environmental Justice Act of 2017 This bill requires agencies to address the disproportionate impact of environmental and human health hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities resulting from agencies' programs and policies. This bill provides statutory authority for: the interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice, certain environmental justice requirements established under Executive Order 12898, a guidance titled "Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act," a guidance titled "EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights," the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, and the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant programs. The bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address potential cumulative impacts of pollutant discharges when issuing or renewing permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the EPA to address potential cumulative impacts of a major stationary source of air pollutants when issuing or renewing permits for those sources. The bill states that the authorization to bring citizen suits under certain environmental laws does not preclude the right of an individual to bring a civil action for deprivation of implied rights under those laws or common law. The bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow a person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with the Act to bring an action against the entity in a federal or state court for discriminatory practices.