Asma-Sadeque, S. (2022, December 30). Colorado: EPA investigates if pollution unfairly harms Hispanic residents. The Guardian. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/30/epa-colorado-hispanic-minority-review

The EPA is investigating major polluters in Colorado, to determine if pollution in the state disproportionately harms people of color, particularly Hispanic people. The EPA cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans race discrimination in the allocation of federal benefits. The companies under review not only process much of the oil and energy in the state, but also have a history of expired permits, workplace accidents, and mismanagement. Malfunctions have caused the emission of toxic chemicals above the permitted level. These hotspots of pollution are also, as environmental justice advocates have pointed out, often in minority communities.

This seems like a classic example of irresponsible pollution in underserved communities. While it might be hard to point to one power plant or source of pollution and claim that it’s the result of environmental racism, these individual polluters are part of a larger trend that harms minority communities. This is not a standalone example in Colorado; there are too many similar situations all around the country. The disproportionate concentration of pollution in communities of color and low-income areas is egregious, but to me, just as upsetting is the history of mismanagement with so many of these entities. Not only are these communities impacted by greenhouse gas emissions and poor air quality, but they also face health and social impacts from being near institutions that leak other toxic chemicals due to poor maintenance.