Press Releases
06/09/2023
DEEP Celebrates Passage of Environmental Justice Bill by Connecticut General Assembly
(HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) applauds the passage of Senate Bill 1147, An Act Concerning the Environmental Justice Program of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by the Connecticut General Assembly. This significant legislation, raised at DEEP’s request, builds upon Connecticut's longstanding commitment to environmental justice and marks another milestone in our state's efforts to protect vulnerable communities and ensure equitable access to a clean and healthy environment.
“DEEP appreciates the legislature’s engagement and support in passing this important legislation,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “Thank you to the Environment Committee Co-Chairs, Sen. Lopes and Rep. Gresko, the leadership in both chambers, and to the many environmental justice advocates for your efforts in support of this bill, which strengthens our environmental justice law and reaffirms our state’s commitment to environmental justice. By evaluating cumulative effects, the state will be better equipped to identify and address potential environmental justice concerns, fostering healthier and more sustainable communities for all Connecticut residents.”
Connecticut's existing environmental justice statute, the oldest in the nation, has served as a model for many other states, demonstrating Connecticut's leadership and dedication to promoting fairness and inclusivity in environmental decision-making. Under Governor Lamont’s leadership, DEEP established the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) and is making equity and engagement a top priority across its programs. SB 1147 represents yet another significant step forward in rectifying historical environmental injustices and creating a more equitable future, recognizing that the decision of where to locate a potentially polluting facility often disproportionately increases health and quality of life concerns for environmental justice communities.
SB 1147 preserves the EJ statute’s existing public participation processes for both new and expanded permits while providing a framework to address head-on the cumulative impacts of historic siting practices. Importantly, the bill acknowledges that environmental impacts are not limited to individual projects or permits. Pursuant to SB 1147, DEEP will develop a tool to measure existing environmental and health stressors in a community. This tool will help applicants for new permits to assess efficiently whether cumulative impact thresholds would be exceeded if their permit application were approved. In turn, they can anticipate if DEEP or the Siting Council might apply additional conditions in a permit or, in rare cases, even decide not to grant the permit.
DEEP has worked hard in recent years to improve predictability, efficiency, and transparency in its processes through the successful 20By20 initiative, which yielded process improvements that will inform the implementation and enforcement of SB 1147. DEEP will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders—including the business community, community organizations, and residents—during the rulemaking process and after to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement for all those affected by environmental justice concerns.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110