Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru mid 2025, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
11/11/2024 04:02 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=36391
Share:
Home / House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: October 25, 2021 09:45 AM
From: Representative Donna Bullock and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Christopher M. Rabb
To: All House members
Subject: Environmental Justice - Permit Applications
 
For too long, environmental racism has plagued burdened communities. Incinerators, landfills, sewage plants and the like are often built-in low-income areas because the residents of these areas typically lack the clout necessary to influence decision-makers. As a result, the people in these communities are powerless to stop facilities that pollute the local environment, drive down property values, and even poison the citizens as chemicals seep into the water they drink and air they breathe.
 
To help address this issue, we will be introducing legislation that would require a more transparent and open process before certain facilities are built or expanded within areas defined as “burdened communities.” Builders of these facilities seeking permits would first have to prepare an environmental impact statement that includes any potential negative impacts a facility may have on the surrounding area. After the completion of this process, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection would have the power to deny a permit application if it finds that the cumulative impacts of the facility on the community would be too great to justify its approval.
 
The constitutional right to a clean environment is guaranteed to all, not only to those with the funding to lobby government officials. This legislation would be another step-in upholding that right. We ask that you join us in support of this effort to ensure that the voices of all are heard before decisions that impact public health and safety are made.
 




Introduced as HB2043