This bill aims to enhance environmental protections in Minnesota by modifying the requirements for analyzing cumulative pollution before issuing air quality permits. It introduces new definitions and provisions related to "environmental justice" and "environmental justice areas," which are defined based on demographic factors such as race, income, and English proficiency. The bill mandates that the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must consider the cumulative exposure to pollutants and the socioeconomic conditions of communities when evaluating permit applications that may impact these areas. Additionally, it requires a demographic analysis to be included in permit applications, detailing the characteristics of the exposed population and their sensitivity to pollution.

Key amendments include the replacement of references to the "Pollution Control Agency" with "commissioner" in various sections, emphasizing the role of the commissioner in the permitting process. The bill also establishes a timeline for the commissioner to determine the boundaries of environmental justice areas and requires public meetings to ensure community input is considered in the permitting process. Furthermore, if a proposed permit is found to contribute to increased environmental or health impacts in an environmental justice area, the commissioner is empowered to deny the permit or impose conditions to mitigate those impacts. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that vulnerable communities are protected from disproportionate environmental harms.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 116.06, 116.07, 116D.04