HF 4568 Summary

• Requires the Pollution Control Agency to analyze cumulative environmental pollution levels and effects from all sources when issuing permits to facilities located in first-class cities in Hennepin County that meet five specific conditions, including proximity to EPA superfund sites, low-income communities of color, elevated childhood health problems, and proximity to heavily trafficked highways.

• Adds restrictions preventing persons from appealing negative environmental impact statement decisions by introducing material evidence that was not presented during the public comment period if that evidence was publicly available during the comment period.

• Adds restrictions preventing persons from appealing petition dismissals by asserting material evidence not included in the petition if that evidence was publicly available before the petition was filed.

• Makes environmental assessment worksheet requirements inapplicable to ethanol plant expansions, biobutanol facility conversions or expansions, and facilities outside the seven-county metropolitan area producing less than 125 million gallons of biofuel annually or 400,000 tons of chemicals annually, unless other environmental review thresholds are met.