Transcript Environmental Improvements to Stressed Communities

Intent of Connecticut’s
Environmental Justice Law
PA 08-94
DEP Workshop
January 13, 2009
Background
• Large emitters of pollution are often
concentrated in a few neighborhoods of
many municipalities
• Some municipalities have a large number
of such facilities
• These neighborhoods are often lowincome neighborhoods
Too Many Facilities May:
• Reduce the quality of life in a community
– Unhealthful effects of pollution
– Visual blight
– Increased traffic and noise
– Lower property values
• Change the character of a community
– Promote urbanization
– Limit economic development opportunities
What is Environmental Justice?
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
defines Environmental Justice as:
• ”The fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people regardless of
race, color, national origin, or income with
respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.”
What is Environmental Justice?
Continued
• Fair treatment means that no group of
people, including racial, ethnic, or
socioeconomic group should bear a
disproportionate share of the negative
environmental consequences resulting
from industrial, municipal, and commercial
operations or the execution of federal,
state, local, and tribal programs and
policies.”
Point Source Air Pollution
Emissions in Connecticut 2000
Vulnerability
• Environmental hazards are concentrated in low
income communities and communities of color in
Connecticut
– U. of Hartford study
– DEP Analysis
• Environmentally related diseases are more
common in these communities
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–
Asthma
Cancer
Low Birth Weight
Autoimmune diseases
Goals of the Environmental
Justice Bill
• Provide for enhanced community notification
and participation in the decision-making
process for any new or expanded
“environmental affecting facility” in DECD
designated distressed municipalities and low
income census block groups
(neighborhoods of 700-1500 people)
• Allow for the provision of environmental
benefits in these municipalities and
communities
Environmental Justice
Communities
Distressed Municipalities
List of 25 Cities and Towns Designated as Distressed in 2008
Ansonia
Bridgeport
Bristol
Brooklyn
Derby
East Hartford
Enfield
Meriden
Naugatuck
New Britain
New Haven
New London
North Canaan
Norwich
Plymouth
Putnam
Sprague
Torrington
Waterbury
West Haven
Winchester
Hartford
Plainfield
Windham
Killingly
Towns With Some Low Income
Neighborhoods
For Further Information Contact:
Mark A. Mitchell, M.D., MPH
President
Connecticut Coalition for
Environmental Justice
860-548-1133
[email protected]