CT SB01147

Repeals and replaces Section 22a-20a of Connecticut General Statutes, effective October 1, 2023, to establish environmental justice requirements for "affecting facilities" in low-income communities.

Applicants seeking new or expanded permits for major industrial facilities (power plants, incinerators, landfills, sewage plants, recycling centers, medical waste incinerators, and major air pollution sources) in environmental justice communities must file environmental and health stressor assessments and obtain departmental approval of meaningful public participation plans before filing applications.

Requires applicants to conduct informal public meetings with at least 30 days' notice in multiple languages to households within one-half mile radius, publish notices in newspapers and online, and submit public participation reports documenting community input within 30 days of the meeting.

Allows municipalities with five or more affecting facilities to require applicants to enter into community environmental benefit agreements providing financial resources for mitigation of facility impacts such as environmental education, diesel pollution reduction, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, air monitoring, and health services.

Authorizes the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to deny permits or impose conditions if cumulative environmental stressors in an environmental justice community would exceed those in other communities, and requires the department to adopt implementing regulations.