As a screening and mapping tool, PennEnviroScreen is used to identify areas of greater environmental justice (EJ) exposures and effects by analyzing environmental, health, and socioeconomic burdens across the Commonwealth.
DEP staff utilize PennEnviroScreen during the permit review process to evaluate where enhanced public participation may apply .
To support public understanding and application of the tool, DEP published PennEnviroScreen At-A-Glance, which provides a user-friendly summary of the tool’s structure, indicators, and use cases.
This overview is especially helpful for members of the public seeking to interpret the features of PennEnviroScreen.
PennEnviroScreen scores are calculated that combine a combination of environmental hazard indicators and demographic metrics.
A detailed explanation of the scoring algorithm and indicator weighting can be found in the Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Mapping and Screening Tool (PennEnviroScreen) Methodology Documentation 2023 (pp. 4–7).
Users are encouraged to review this methodology to understand how factors such as air quality, proximity to pollution sources, linguistic isolation, and poverty contribute to the final composite PennEnviroScreen Scores.
PennEnviroScreen supports the administration and implementation of DEP’s EJ Policy.
[Editor’s Note: DEP published an Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy that went into effect in September of 2023 along with a public comment permit that ended in November 2023. DEP continues to work on a comment-response document to respond to comments during this period and on finalizing the policy.]
Visit the Environmental Justice Policy webpage for more information on DEP’s EJ Policy and a list of current and past permits subject to enhanced public participation under the policy.
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Visit DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice webpage for more information.
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website. Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP Environmental Justice: PennEnviroScreen Now ‘Fully Integrated’ Within DEP Permitting Processes To Provide Enhanced Public Participation [PaEN]
-- DEP To Host June 10 Informational Meeting On The Air Quality Permit To Expand Western Fumigation At Penn Terminals Facility In Eddystone Boro, Delaware County [PaEN]
-- Reforest Our Future Launches Native Tree Nursery & Education Center In Beaver County Supported By Shell Petrochemical Plant Mitigation Grant [PaEN]
-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts June 18 In-Person Environmental Justice Areas - What You Need to Know Workshop In Washington County [PaEN]
[Posted: June 2, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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