MIAEH Student Appointed to Maryland Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities

Gov. Martin O’Malley named Rebecca Rehr, a Master’s student in the SPH’s Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, to the Maryland Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities in January.

Rehr was appointed as a member of the general public with a special interest or expertise in environmental justice, and she is working alongside health experts, environmental organizations, government officials and business organization leaders on the commission.

The commission is tasked with making sure that all state policies and laws are in accordance with the definition of environmental justice.

“I always say environmental justice is ensuring that no minority or low income community is disproportionally affected by environmental hazards,” she said.

This could include issues like living next to a toxic waste facility and not having the means to move somewhere else or not having access to healthy or fairly priced food, she said.

The commission advises State agencies on issues related to environmental justice and sustainable communities and makes recommendations on those issues.

Rehr first began working with the commission as an intern with the Maryland Department of the Environment in the office of the secretary.

As an intern, Rehr worked closely with the commission on a bill that expanded the commission to 20 members, and she was present in January when Gov. O’Malley signed the bill.

“It’s cool to have this opportunity to really apply some of the stuff I learned in undergrad in a textbook on environmental justice,” she said.

Rehr said one current goal of the commission is to look at counties that may have been overlooked in the past, like those along the state’s eastern shore.

“We are trying to expand our scope,” she said.

Rehr is originally from Baltimore City, and she is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences. She works as a graduate assistant in the College of Undergraduate Studies as a front desk advisor.

Rehr said she hopes to pursue a career in environmental justice, and she is honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the other members of the commission.

“I am always inspired by the people on the commission and their passion for justice and promoting sustainability, especially within communities that are normally underserved,” she said.

(Top Left) Commission Chair Scot Spencer, Rebecca Rehr, and MDE staffers Lisa Nissley and Jeffrey Fretwell; (Bottom left) Lt. Gov Anthony Brown, Senate President Thomas "Mike" Miller, Gov. Martin O'Malley and Speaker of the House Michael Busch at the Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities legislation signing.