EPA National Environmental Youth Advisory Council Finalizes First Recommendations to Administrator Regan
EPA’s first ever youth advisory committee recommendations provide input as Agency tackles climate change, delivers environmental justice, advances a circular economy
WASHINGTON — Today, October 22, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan met with members of the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC) to hear their final set recommendations addressing EPA’s charge questions on environmental justice, climate change and food loss and waste as they relate to youth communities.
“The NEYAC was established to provide our younger communities a seat at EPA’s table to tackle environmental challenges. Today, we reach a historic milestone with these recommendations from an inspiring group of young leaders on how the Agency can improve its engagement and deliver on our mission,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “From day one of the Biden-Harris Administration, President Biden promised a bold and ambitious environmental agenda, and EPA has delivered real results to ensure everyone in this country has access to clean air, safe water and healthy land, now and for future generations.”
In February, the NEYAC convened for their inaugural meeting where EPA presented charge questions asking the council to consider how the Agency can enhance and improve its overall youth engagement with young communities with environmental justice concerns; the effectiveness of the regulatory process; and the work to support a circular economy, specifically addressing food loss and waste both nationally and internationally.
In response, the NEYAC submitted a list of recommendations (pdf) to the Administrator, focusing on three main pillars: climate change, environmental justice, and the circular economy. These recommendations range from increased transparency and meaningful engagement with youth, centering the needs of disproportionately impacted communities, and analyzing on-the-ground impacts to raise awareness and increase sustainability. Overall, the NEYAC’s recommendations prioritize the most pressing environmental challenges and urges EPA to focus on impactful solutions that advance environmental justice, promote sustainability, and engage communities in meaningful ways.
Following the submission of NEYAC’s recommendations, EPA will begin its formal review and prepare written responses that will be made publicly available.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the EPA has been tasked with charting a new path towards a clean energy future that will protect our environment and planet for future generations. By creating the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, we ensure that, for the first time ever, young people are centered and heard in this mission to tackle the climate crisis. Together, the work this Council and the EPA are doing will help change the course of our country for the better, with young people at the helm,” said U.S. Representative Maxell Frost (D-FL-10).
The NEYAC launched in November 2023 and is the agency’s first-ever advisory council to be exclusively occupied by young people, with all members between the ages of 16 and 29. The council is charged with providing advice and recommendations on environmental issues impacting young people directly to EPA Administrator Regan. The NEYAC includes 16 members, who are appointed for a two-year term.
The current council members were selected from a pool of over 1,000 highly qualified candidates to represent a variety of interests, lived experiences, partisan affiliation, and geographic locations, and whose backgrounds include extensive experience with EPA priority issues including climate change, environmental justice, conservation, air quality, clean water, agriculture, food security, and workforce development. NEYAC members represent all 10 EPA regions, including urban, rural and Tribal communities, and hail from 13 states and the District of Columbia. View the full list of NEYAC members and read additional information about the council.
The NEYAC will meet at least twice a year, with the next meeting of the council to be scheduled next year. As they become available, additional details will post to EPA’s website.