The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will step up its consideration of environmental justice concerns in its determinations, FERC chair Richard Glick announced last week. Though not legally required to account for impacts on front-line communities, Glick said, “Environmental justice and equity needs to be taken into account in all of our decision-making processes.” Glick also announced the creation of a new senior position at the commission dedicated to ensuring environmental justice and equity concerns are given full consideration. Studies show Black, Indigenous, Latino and low-income white communities bear a disproportionate burden from pollution caused by energy extraction, generation and infrastructure. FERC has never rejected a proposed project on environmental justice grounds. (E&E $, Politico Pro $)