House Democratic Caucus Members Propose Air Quality Reforms

Liz Gullett

House Democratic Caucus Members Propose Air Quality Reforms

Jun 15, 2018

A six-bill package has been introduced by members of the House Democratic Caucus aiming at protecting public health through enhancing air quality standards. According to the bill sponsors, the package focuses on environmental justice, transparency, accountability, local control, and expanding permit criteria. The legislation as introduced would:

Require all state departments and agencies to consider air quality when making decisions, and to establish air quality criteria.
Require the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to notify legislators in the district where a permit is requested to increase emissions.
Require the entity requesting the permit to increase emissions to have a representative present at the public hearing, and to address questions and concerns from the public.
Require the DEQ to consider certain socioeconomic variables when reviewing a permit request.
Require the DEQ to take into consideration the cumulative air quality impact when considering permits.
Creates a process in which a local government could veto a permit to increase air emissions through their passage of a resolution.

The legislation has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee for consideration.

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