MA H2389

Department of Public Health must create an assessment tool to quantify health impacts and costs of emissions from grid electricity and delivered fuels, as well as benefits from energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy

Assessment tool must separately analyze impacts on environmental justice populations, MassHealth program, community hospitals, state budget, and public health

Tool must measure health factors including particulate matter (<2.5 microns), sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and mercury emissions, tracking outcomes such as premature death, cardiovascular events, asthma, hospital admissions, and lost school/work days

Department must update the tool every 3 years; beginning 24 months after enactment, all new state policies, regulations, or rulings affecting polluting emissions must incorporate the tool's health impact findings

Assessment tool and explanatory materials must be submitted to legislative clerks and secretaries of health/human services and energy/environmental affairs within 12 months of enactment