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Intent of Connecticut’s Environmental Justice Law PA 08-94

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

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Intent of Connecticut’s Environmental Justice Law PA 08-94

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  1. Intent of Connecticut’s Environmental Justice Law PA 08-94 DEP Workshop January 13, 2009

  2. 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 low-income neighborhoods

  3. 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

  4. 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.”

  5. 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.”

  6. Point Source Air Pollution Emissions in Connecticut 2000

  7. 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 • Asthma • Cancer • Low Birth Weight • Autoimmune diseases

  8. 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

  9. Environmental Justice Communities

  10. Distressed Municipalities

  11. Towns With Some Low Income Neighborhoods

  12. For Further Information Contact: Mark A. Mitchell, M.D., MPH President Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice 860-548-1133 mark.mitchell@environmental-justice.org

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