DEEP outlines environmental-justice mapping, new cumulative-impact assessment rules and required community benefit agreements

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) described current and forthcoming environmental-justice (EJ) work, including an EJ communities mapping tool, an EJ screening tool and proposed cumulative-impact assessment regulations that DEEP staff said will set standards for permit conditions and denials.

Edith Pastana, who identified herself as a DEEP Office of Equity and Environmental Justice official and a former Department of Public Health epidemiologist, reviewed the state’s EJ statute and tools. Pastana said “Public act 8 94 was codified in 02/2009” and that the law was the first in the state to define EJ communities, specify public-participation expectations and allow for community environmental benefit agreements. She said DEEP’s online EJ mapping tool overlays affecting facilities (air, water, waste, wastewater) with socioeconomic and health indicators.

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