Connecticut News

New Bill Could Improve Health of Local Communities

House Bill 5103 is intended to give voice to local community members, which in turn could help protect birds and habitat
Published February 28, 2020
This article is from 勛圖窪蹋 Connecticut . 勛圖窪蹋 has 31 conservation action centers and more than 500 community and campus chapters across the U.S. serving local communities. Find your local center or chapter here.
Update: The day after this post was written, HB5103 was favorably reported out of the Environment Committee. You can contact any legislators on this committee to thank them:
 
On February 21, to say
 
We support , an act intended to strengthen our states environmental justice law.
 
Enacted in 2008, Connecticuts environmental justice law increased public participation in decision-making related to siting or expanding facilities like power plants or landfills in environmental justice communities.
 
to help ensure their voices are heard when their health, or the health of their environment, is at stake.
 
HB5103 is a new house bill requiring an evaluation of the 2008 law, in an effort to expand and strengthen some of its definitions, like: 
  • The amendment which deems an application insufficient if environmental justice provisions are not completed, and
  • The amendment that expands the definition of a community benefit agreement to include financial resources to mitigate environmental and health impacts to air quality, watercourses, quality of life, asthma rates, and more, above and beyond impacts related to traffic, parking, and noise.
  • The amendment that mandates any municipality which hosts five or more affecting facilities enter a community benefit agreement.
 

Other states, including the State of New York, have been watching how Connecticuts environmental justice law has progressed over time. The CLCPA is an ambitious climate bill that puts New York on the path to a cleaner future and serves as a model for the nation. One of the most important provisions of the CLCPA is to identify the most vulnerable areas of the state, including disadvantaged communities, and ensure that they are prioritized to receive support and resources to address the effects of climate change.

To protect birds, we must protect the places we all depend onand restore a healthier balance to our local communities.
 
Thats why were voicing our support for HB5103, on behalf of birds and people.
 
And you can too! Contact your Senator and State Representative to let them know you support HB5103.