CEJA's Anniversary

In 2001, four organizations (APEN, CBE, EHC, and PODER) came together to create the Environmental Justice Working Group and represent communities bearing the heaviest burden of pollution and environmental harm in California. The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) joined in 2005, expanding the coalition's reach and base across Southern California's Inland Empire.

The Environmental Justice Working Group held its first major statewide convening, bringing together member organizations to align strategy and build the foundation for a coordinated environmental justice agenda in California. The alliance also brought on its first staff, beginning the slow and deliberate build toward a fully operational statewide organization.

The Environmental Justice Working Group officially changed its name to the California Environmental Justice Alliance, launched its Energy Equity program, and held its first convening under the new name, marking a new chapter in the movement's identity and reach.

The Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment joined CEJA, deepening the alliance's statewide roots. CEJA launched its Green Zones program — a place-based strategy to transform toxic hot spots into healthy, thriving neighborhoods. CEJA also secured the inclusion of equity and environmental justice language in California's first statewide Renewable Portfolio Standard and helped defeat Proposition 23 — a Big Oil-backed attempt to overturn California's landmark climate laws.

CEJA organized its first Congreso in Sacramento, bringing together community leaders, advocates, and allies from across California to build skills, share strategy, and lobby for environmental justice priorities at the State Capitol. CEJA and its member organizations played a pivotal role in the passage of Proposition 39, which closed corporate tax loopholes and created thousands of clean energy jobs in low-income communities across California.

CEJA's first legislative win: SB 43 (Wolk) created the Green Tariff Shared Renewables Program, enabling renters, schools, and low-income households to access clean energy for the first time. The same year, as a result of CEJA's sustained advocacy, CalEPA launched CalEnviroScreen — the first statewide cumulative impact screening tool in the country.

CEJA released California's first-ever EJ Legislative Scorecard, rating state legislators on their environmental justice voting records. This transparency tool strengthened community accountability and made it easier for everyday Californians to see whose votes protected their neighborhoods — and whose priorities lay elsewhere.

CEJA Action was created as a 501(c)(4) advocacy affiliate as a Project of Tides Advocacy (now Beyond Impact). LJCA, CAUSE, SCOPE, PSR-LA, and Pacoima Beautiful joined as new partners. CEJA launched its flagship Civic Engagement and Climate Justice programs and co-sponsored AB 693 (Eggman), creating the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing program that brings clean energy to low-income renters across California. CEJA weaved the Climate Equity Network, uniting leaders from labor, health, housing, and anti-poverty movements to build a single voice for climate solutions. CEJA also hosted two roundtables and four community trainings on clean energy and green jobs, building the capacity of 200 leaders of disadvantaged communities.

Following the Statewide Green Zones Convening attended by over 120 community leaders from nearly 50 organizations, CEJA and CEJA Action successfully passed six landmark bills, advancing climate equity and clean energy across the state. CEJA also released its inaugural EJ Agency Assessment, evaluating how state regulatory agencies perform on environmental justice.

CEJA hired its first Executive Director, providing dedicated leadership to guide the alliance's growing statewide work and deepening capacity to advance environmental justice policy at the state level. CEJA successfully advocated for the California Energy Commission to reject the proposed Puente gas power plant in Oxnard — a direct result of community-led analysis, organizing, and movement building.

CEJA helped lead the People's Climate March and the It Takes Roots Solidarity to Solutions week, mobilizing more than 30,000 people from over 200 EJ communities across California. CEJA and CEJA Action also defeated Proposition 70, which would have undermined critical climate investments.

A landmark year: all 11 bills CEJA, CEJA Action, and allies lobbied for were signed into law by Governor Newsom. Wins included safe drinking water protections (SB 200), stronger EJ definitions (AB 1628), culturally competent emergency planning (SB 160), and cleanup funding increases (AB 142). The EJ Scorecard awarded perfect 100s to 30 of 120 legislators.

When COVID-19 struck, CEJA swiftly adapted its organizing model, shifting to virtual programming to continue building power during an unprecedented public health crisis. CEJA publicly reaffirmed its commitment to antiracist political systems and establishing just relationships with the land and with one another. On the organizing front, CEJA and the Sierra Club kick-started the Regenerate California campaign, rallying at the State Capitol to demand a just transition away from dirty gas plants.

CEJA and 70+ environmental justice groups united to block the appointment of former CARB Chair Mary Nichols to lead the U.S. EPA, citing her track record on environmental racism. A watershed moment demonstrating that impacted communities can shape federal environmental leadership.

CEJA joined hundreds of EJ organizations in a massive grassroots mobilization to shape California's Climate Change Scoping Plan. Nearly 10,000 letters were sent to Governor Newsom and CARB demanding a frontline-first approach. CARB responded by doubling vehicle miles traveled reduction targets, eliminating plans to expand gas plants, and committing to 20 GW of offshore wind by 2045.

CEJA hired an Interim Executive Director to guide the alliance through a critical transition, and successfully spun off as its own independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit — providing greater organizational stability and flexibility to advance environmental justice at scale, while staying grounded in community-led organizing.

CEJA and CEJA Action hosted their first in-person Congreso since 2019, bringing environmental justice leaders from across California to Sacramento to build skills, share strategies, and lobby for EJ priorities at the State Capitol. CEJA, CEJA Action, and frontline communities celebrated a spectacular victory when the oil industry withdrew its $61M referendum aiming to overturn SB 1137 that created mandatory 3,200-foot health and safety buffer zones around oil and gas drilling sites near homes, schools, and hospitals. The Board announced two permanent Co-Executive Directors, bringing a shared leadership model to the alliance's next chapter. CEJA also launched a four-day work week pilot for full-time exempt staff, living out its values and commitment to staff well-being.

CEJA launched its Program Advisory Council to strengthen community engagement in the alliance's strategic direction. CEJA Action also hosted its largest Congreso in history, gathering ~ 250 advocates and community members from across California.

CEJA celebrates 25 years of community-rooted power-building with its 25th Birthday, the 10th Congreso, and a clear long-term campaigning agenda. Clean air, clean water, a healthy environment, and the unconditional right of communities to shape decisions that affect their lives – the work continues. We hope you'll join us!