environmental permitting; requirements; burdened communities

HB 2141 requires environmental impact reports and public hearings for new or expanded facilities (like power plants over 10MW, landfills, or waste treatment plants) located in low-income census tracts defined as areas in the bottom 33% for median household income. It mandates that permit applicants submit impact assessments 30 days before public hearings, which must include community input on health and environmental risks. The state environmental department must wait 60 days after hearings to approve permits and can deny them if cumulative health or environmental risks would be unreasonable for residents. This law directly affects companies seeking permits for large facilities in designated low-income areas, ensuring community input is considered before approvals.