Environmental Justice
Environmental justice, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws.”
BTGVA's Evironmental Mission
Bridging The Gap In Virginia is committed to fostering personal growth in individuals and offers community-wide services through our environmental efforts. We uphold this commitment by combining restorative justice with positive environmental impacts. Through our Solar Installation Training Program, participants learn specialized skills while gaining a deeper understanding of their substantial contribution towards the future of renewable energy.
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We hope to further our mission and extend our reach to other communities in need of advocacy and support.
Environmental Justice Succeeds at Union Hill
Growing up in New Jersey, Richard Walker spent summers at the family's ancestral homestead in Union Hill, Buckingham County, Virginia, immersing himself in the farming lifestyle passed down through generations. Union Hill, founded by his great-great-grandfather, Taylor Harper, a former slave, now faces a threat to its tranquility and clean air—a proposed compressor station for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Despite lacking basic services, the largely African American community treasures its healthy environment. BTGVA, along with other organizations, rallied against the compressor station, recognizing its environmental justice implications. While Virginia approved the facility, legal challenges persist, underscoring concerns about air and water pollution. As a spokesperson for Union Hill, Walker advocates for family members, whose land borders the proposed site and faces eminent domain. His efforts highlight the threat posed by the compressor station to residents' health and cherished environment.