HB 5121 Summary

• Expands agencies subject to environmental justice requirements to include the Department of Public Utility Control and Department of Economic and Community Development, in addition to the Department of Environmental Protection and Connecticut Siting Council.

• Requires applicants seeking permits or approvals for new or expanded "affecting facilities" (electric generators over 10 megawatts, incinerators, landfills, major air pollution sources, etc.) in environmental justice communities to negotiate community environmental benefit agreements with affected municipalities.

• Mandates meaningful public participation plans including informal public meetings with at least 10 days' notice; changes newspaper advertisement requirement from minimum one-quarter page to headline in 20-point font with remaining text in 12-point font.

• Defines environmental justice communities as census block groups where 30% or more of the population consists of low-income persons below 200% of federal poverty level, or distressed municipalities.

• Specifies that community benefit agreements may fund environmental education, pollution reduction, trails, parks, urban forestry, community gardens, or other negotiated environmental benefits, with opportunities for public input on agreement terms.