Environmental Justice Act Puts New Demands on Business and Municipalities

Diane Whitney writes in New England Real Estate Journal, February 20-26, about Public Act 08-94 concerning environmental justice. This act, which went into effect in Connecticut January 1, requires facilities conducting certain activities that need DEP permits to prepare Environmental Justice Public Participation Plans to build or expand in distressed municipalities, including Bridgeport, Hartford, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Waterbury and 18 others. Other municipalities where 30 percent of the population has income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level are included, by census block. The purpose of the Public Participation Plans is to "ensure that there is 'enhanced notice' encouraging public participation in the permitting process by the community," Diane writes.

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