Carlos Evans, Director of the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), has been appointed to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. This council was established by President Biden through Executive Order 14008.
“I am honored to serve on this historic advisory council. While much more work is needed to achieve our environmental and climate justice goals, this appointment recognizes the work by the City to identify and address disproportionate environmental hazards in our communities, in partnership with our residents,” said Evans.
The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council provides independent advice on addressing current and historic environmental injustice to the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council (IAC) and the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). This is the first time a Presidential advisory body has been tasked with making recommendations on environmental justice.
The White House highlighted Evans' 20-year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and his role as Director of OEQS in Dallas since January 2022.
“Dallas is demonstrating our commitment to environmental justice on a daily basis,” said Evans. Dallas is implementing several plans to address environmental justice, including the Comprehensive Environmental Climate Action Plan (CECAP) and the Racial Equity Plan.
Dallas Councilmember Kathy Steward, Chair of the City Council Parks, Environment and Trails Committee, expressed her support: "I am thrilled that Carlos' experience and commitment to environmental justice is being recognized at this level. I know he will represent Dallas and our community well."
Key initiatives in Dallas include integrating environmental justice into the Forward Dallas citywide plan, implementing the Dallas Community Air Management Program, and the Brownfield Revitalization Program. Additional efforts include a batch plant zoning code amendment, a Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Plan, a Green Job Skills Program, the Whole Home Dallas energy efficiency program, and an urban heat island study. Dallas is also cleaning up historically contaminated sites, developing an environmental justice mapping tool, and has recently appointed a new Environmental Justice Coordinator.
