- Minnesota is considering including environmental justice criteria in its decision-making process for industrial projects.
- Environmental justice criteria would consider the impacts of industrial projects on marginalized communities and ensure they are not disproportionately affected.
- The proposed change is in response to concerns about the environmental impact of industrial projects in low-income and diverse communities.
- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has released a draft guidance document outlining how environmental justice criteria could be incorporated into their decision-making process.
- The proposal is open for public comment until April 15, 2023.
By Heartland Signal | March 16, 2023
Racial disparities exist in Minnesota when it comes to asthma cases. Environmental justice advocates said it is one example of pollution disproportionately affecting communities of color, and they hope a bill in the Legislature would add protections.
The plan calls on the Pollution Control Agency to consider whether an industrial site or other entity seeking a permit would add to the cumulative impact in a racially diverse area that already has environmental stressors…
Criteria for the environmental justice areas would include certain percentages of people who are nonwhite, who speak limited English, as well as income levels and tribal lands. The measure has been heard by various committees and is expected to be included in a larger omnibus bill. The League of Minnesota Cities recognizes the need but worries about how municipal water facilities would need periodic reviews of permits…
Roxxanne O’Brien, founder of Community Members for Environmental Justice in North Minneapolis, said neighborhoods in her area often lack the power to limit the development of industry and traffic and the pollution that comes along with it.
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