Citizens push DEQ to consider cumulative pollution impacts at environmental justice town hall in Henrico

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality held a town hall in Henrico Wednesday night, asking residents to help shape updated environmental justice guidance. Families from across the Commonwealth shared concerns and questioned whether their feedback would lead to meaningful change.

The agency says the feedback will help determine how it evaluates cumulative environmental impacts and how it engages communities during the permitting process.

For some attendees, the meeting was a chance to be heard. For others, it left unanswered questions.

Rachel James, one of many attendees who believes she should have received the draft guidance before the town hall, said the lack of advance materials made it difficult for people from near and far to give informed feedback on the permitting process guidance.

"I didn't feel that my questions were immediately welcome," James said.

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