MN HF4594

Modifies Minnesota Statutes 116.07 to require the Pollution Control Agency commissioner to analyze cumulative environmental pollution levels and effects before issuing air emissions permits in highly impacted areas.

Requires cumulative impact analysis when air permits are not required but a project in a highly impacted area receives a petition signed by at least 200 residents or property owners, with the commissioner responding within 30 days on timeline for analysis completion.

Mandates that demolition of structures of a specified square footage (amount blank in bill) within a highly impacted area requires a permit and cumulative impact analysis of the demolition and any planned redevelopment.

Defines "highly impacted area" as locations in first-class cities in Hennepin County that meet six criteria: within half-mile of EPA superfund site due to arsenic contamination, majority low-income persons of color and American Indians, disproportionate childhood lead poisoning or asthma rates, air quality alert days between February 2007-2008, proximity to heavily trafficked highways, and documented COVID-19 pandemic vulnerabilities from toxic environmental exposure and health disparities.

Requires the commissioner to consider environmental justice principles and may require permits to contain provisions preventing environmental impacts that violate those principles; political subdivisions cannot issue final project approval until cumulative impact analysis is completed.