Section 9 of this bill directs the Division of Environmental Protection of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to conduct an interim study concerning environmental justice. In conducting the study, section 9 requires the Division to identify: (1) the communities in this State that face the greatest cumulative environmental burdens; (2) methods for preventing the increase of the cumulative environmental burdens of such communities; and (3) strategies to decrease the cumulative environmental burdens of such communities. Section 9 authorizes the Division to contract with a private entity to conduct the study.
Sections 1-8 of this bill define various terms relating to environmental justice and the interim study required by section 9.