California Environmental Justice Alliance

California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) is a statewide, community-led alliance that works to achieve environmental justice by advancing policy solutions.

Website:  https://caleja.org/

We have 10 total members and partners across California

  • Asian Pacific Environmental Network
  • Center for Community Action & Environmental Justice
  • Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment
  • Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy
  • Communities for a Better Environment
  • Environmental Health Coalition
  • Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
  • People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights
  • Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles
  • Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education

Connect with CEJA

It is time that the utilities pay their fair share too, not just pass the buck to consumers. As we consider the energy bills in the legislature, there are many issues to consider. Learn more with us!

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Mission

  • We unite the powerful local organizing of our members in the communities most impacted by environmental hazards – low-income communities and communities of color – to create comprehensive opportunities for change at a statewide level. We build the power of communities across California to create policies that will alleviate poverty and pollution. Together, we are growing the statewide movement for environmental health and social justice.

Why Energy Democracy?

As we face the ever-increasing impacts of climate change and burning of dirty fossil fuels in California, there is a statewide debate about who should be held responsible and how they should be held accountable. CEJA is playing an important role in shaping a bold vision for energy use and decision making in our state to ensure that low-income families already burdened by pollution are not saddled with higher prices for energy. Utility companies like PG&E cannot continue to shrug off their part in the conflagrations by getting the legislature to allow them to charge ratepayers —the public for— manager and investor’s failures. Our communities deserve Energy Democracy — to be at the table where these decisions are made to protect the air they breathe from toxic sources, and to help us save on our energy bills.

Our Strategy

  • Displace fossil fuels — including natural gas power plants — with renewables and energy storage in disadvantaged communities as soon as possible;
  • Protect people from impacts of dirty energy use and production through stronger and sharper air regulations on natural gas power plants;
  • Demand public investment and prioritization of community-owned energy resiliency systems such as microgrids, solar and storage, and emergency energy systems in disadvantaged communities, especially in the face of disasters such as wildfires;
  • Create a state wildfire relief fund for migrant workers and immigrant families who are ineligible for federal funds;
  • Advance a fast, and intentional Just Transition to 100% renewable energy that prioritizes disadvantaged communities and labor.

Accomplishments

CEJA was formed in 2001. Our grassroots, community-based members recognized the need for a voice in statewide environmental policy but realized that they would be more effective and stronger if united.

Since CEJA’s inception, we have mobilized hundreds of people to California’s Capitol at critical policy junctures and engaged thousands of Latino, Asian Pacific American, African American and immigrant residents in advocating for smart policies that will win healthy communities, a healthy economy and a healthy California.

Featured Photos

Hosted by California Environmental Justice Alliance

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