HB2728 Summary

• Environmental Protection Agency must fully consider adverse economic, social, and environmental effects on environmental justice communities before publishing draft permits or permit renewals for public comment.

• Permit applicants in environmental justice communities must provide public notice to residents including the permit application, comment procedures, and a community meeting scheduled at least 30 days after notice publication.

• Community residents have 90 days following the community meeting to submit comments to the Agency on permit applications.

• Permit applicants for activities in environmental justice communities must enter into a community benefits agreement with the local government requiring mitigation of environmental and public health impacts.

• Definition of "permit" applies to permits issued through the Clean Air Act Permit Program or the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.