Environment (Environmental Justice)

SB 781 (CHERISH Our Communities Act) requires applicants for certain environmental permits (like air quality or wastewater permits) at facilities in "at-risk census tracts" to submit a report detailing existing environmental and public health burdens in those areas. The Maryland Department of the Environment must deny permit applications if approval would worsen adverse environmental or health stressors in those high-burden communities, as defined by specific metrics like pollution proximity scores or health indicator thresholds. The bill mandates new public participation requirements during permit reviews for facilities in these areas and specifies that denial decisions must be documented for judicial review. It directly affects businesses seeking permits for facilities in designated at-risk neighborhoods, aiming to prevent additional environmental harm in communities already facing disproportionate pollution.

HB 1287 (CHERISH Our Communities Act) requires developers seeking permits for new power plants in Maryland to submit a BURDEN report with their application if the plant is located in an "at-risk census tract." This report must analyze environmental and health burdens in the area using Maryland's EJ tool, which identifies communities facing multiple pollution and health stressors. The Public Service Commission must deny permits if issuing them would worsen environmental or public health stressors in these overburdened communities. The bill directly affects power plant developers and the Commission, focusing on preventing further harm in neighborhoods already facing significant environmental challenges.

SB 780 (CHERISH Our Communities Act) requires applicants for certificates of public convenience and necessity for new or modified power plants to submit a "BURDEN report" analyzing environmental and public health burdens in the surrounding area. This applies specifically to projects located in "at-risk census tracts," defined as areas meeting certain thresholds for pollution exposure, health indicators (like asthma ER visits), or proximity to hazardous sites (e.g., power plants, landfills). The bill mandates the Public Service Commission to deny applications if issuing the certificate would worsen environmental or public health stressors in these overburdened communities. The report must include baseline data on disparities and environmental needs, using Maryland’s EJ Score and mapping tool to identify affected areas.

HB 1268 requires new or renewed environmental permits for facilities in Maryland neighborhoods identified as "at-risk" (based on high pollution levels or proximity to pollution sources like power plants or landfills) to include a "burden report" detailing existing environmental health issues. The state Department of the Environment must deny permits if approval would worsen pollution stressors in these areas, using Maryland’s Environmental Justice Tool to define "at-risk" census tracts. It applies specifically to air quality permits for construction and water discharge permits for facilities like power plants, waste sites, or mining operations. The bill mandates public participation in permit reviews for these facilities and requires the Department to document its assessment for judicial review.