Two or three decades ago, the concept of environmental justice was mostly talked about in academic circles.

A recent ruling on a gas plant expansion shows the idea has entered the mainstream.

Communities of color have often borne the brunt of industrial development. They lacked the funds to lawyer up and block projects.

Conservationists frequently overlooked them.

But the idea of environmental justice has become a talking point for environmental nonprofits, as well as the Biden administration.

Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club says that Tuesday's vote by the Arizona Corporation Commission against the Coolidge Generating Station expansion was a reflection of that.

“That’s a pretty strong message to SRP and certainly demonstrates that the voices of the Randolph residents were heard,” Bahr said.

The residents lobbied against the expansion and protested the day of commission’s vote.