Biden executive order to require agencies to make 'environmental justice' part of mission

President Biden on Friday will sign an executive order at the White House directing federal agencies to incorporate "environmental justice" into their missions.

"The executive order will direct agencies to address gaps in science and data to better understand and prevent the cumulative impacts of pollution on people’s health. It will create a new Office of Environmental Justice in the White House to coordinate all environmental justice efforts across the federal government. And it will require agencies to notify nearby communities in the event of a release of toxic substances from a federal facility," a White House official said.  Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

According to the White House, the executive order will recognize that "racism is a fundamental driver of environmental injustice." It will direct federal agencies to consider and prevent disproportionate impacts of environmental and health harms on poor and minority communities. It also will require agencies to consult with historically excluded communities and "actively facilitate meaningful public participating and just treatment of all people in agency decision-making."