​​​​​​The Justice40 Initiative, established by Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, aims to deliver at least 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, and related investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened, and underserved. The Justice40 Initiative is one part of a whole-of-government approach to environmental justice which also includes the ongoing implementation of Executive Order 12898 on Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. BSEE currently has two Justice40 covered programs: the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and Offshore Orphaned Infrastructure Decommissioning.

Decommissioning Offshore Orphan Infrastructure 

BSEE is working to address environmental risks through contracts to decommission orphaned infrastructure on the OCS. The environmental risks associated with orphaned infrastructure include marine pollution, air pollutant emissions, and conflicts with other uses of federal lands and waters. 

Through decommissioning, BSEE facilitates: 

• Restoration of submerged lands to pre-industrialized conditions 

• Conversion of obsolete infrastructure to artificial reefs, which serve to contribute to ecological conservation, provide recreational diving, and support commercial and recreational fishing 

• Removal of obstructions to offshore sand and gravel resources used to help rebuild our coastal landscapes and provide a buffer during extreme storms 

BSEE is continuing to evaluate how to define and effectively communicate the benefit of its investment in addressing orphaned infrastructure to specific underserved communities. For additional information regarding BSEE’s decommissioning requirements and activities, visit the Decommissioning page.

Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program 

The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) cooperative agreement provides an opportunity to further engage Alaska Native professionals and develop the future scientific and engineering employment pool required to support BSEE’s mission. The objectives are to expand the science employment preparedness of ANSEP students and to develop a more diversified pool of highly educated professionals with the BSEE workforce to reflect the nation's rich diversity. ANSEP’s objective is to affect systematic change in the hiring patterns of Alaska Natives in science and engineering by giving them access to middle school enrichment activities, college classes in high school, and building programs, internships, and research opportunities that deliver intensive training for university academics and industry involvement. 

The benefits of the ANSEP program fall within the "Training and Workforce Development" category of the Justice 40 initiative, which seeks to increase participation in good job training programs that target the participation of disadvantaged communities.