Chattanoogan named to White House environmental justice panel

Michael Walton, the former Chattanooga greenspace chief who joined Emerald Strategy Group last year as managing director of energy transition financing, has been named to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, according to A press release.

Walton is one of 36 members of the federal advisory committee charged with providing independent advice and recommendations on how to address current and historic environmental injustices. The council is the first presidential advisory body of its kind tasked with making recommendations on environmental justice.

“This is an incredible platform to advocate for policies that address environmental challenges impacting communities while creating jobs and economic opportunity,” Walton said in a statement following his nomination to the council by President Joe Biden .

Walton works with developers and agencies to bridge the gap between federal programs, industrial climate innovation and the communities in which they will be located, ensuring that sustainable projects are both economically viable and equitable, according to the press release.

— Compiled by Dave Flessner