NC H684

Creates a new Environmental Justice Program within the Department of Environmental Quality to identify, reduce, and eliminate environmental health disparities affecting communities of color, low-income communities, indigenous communities, and limited English proficiency communities

Requires seven covered state agencies (including DEQ, DHHS, Transportation, Commerce, and Utilities Commission) to consider cumulative environmental burdens when making decisions about environment, energy, climate, and public health projects, and to adopt community engagement plans by July 1, 2027

Establishes an 11-member Environmental Justice Advisory Council to provide independent recommendations to state agencies and the General Assembly, with a goal of having more than 50% of members residing in environmental justice communities

Creates a 9-member Interagency Environmental Justice Committee composed of agency heads or designees to coordinate state implementation of environmental justice policies across departments

Mandates baseline spending reports by February 15, 2026, and annual spending reports beginning January 15, 2028, tracking where environmental benefit investments are made and what percentage reaches environmental justice communities