NC H797

Requires the Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Management Commission to consider cumulative environmental and health impacts before issuing permits for new facilities or expansions in low-income communities (those in the bottom 33% of census tracts by median household income).

Mandates permit applicants prepare environmental impact reports assessing cumulative impacts and public health effects, submit reports 30 days before public hearings, and conduct public hearings in convenient locations with notices published 21 days in advance in local newspapers.

Allows the Department or Commission to deny permits if cumulative impacts combined with existing conditions constitute an unreasonable risk to resident health and the environment, and requires consideration of community support demonstrated through public hearings and local government ordinances.

Applies to specified facilities including resource recovery facilities, landfills, medical waste incinerators, sewage treatment plants over 50 million gallons per day, and major air pollution sources.

Extends cumulative impact review to electricity generation facilities over 10 megawatts in burdened communities; requires Department to identify burdened communities within 180 days and becomes effective January 1, 2024 for applications submitted on or after that date.