Today, the Senate passed S232 (Singleton). The bill concerns environmental permits in burdened communities. The bill would require that a person who is seeking a permit for a new facility, or for the expansion of an existing facility, that is located in a burdened community meets certain additional requirements. The bill defines burdened communities’ as any area that is ranked in the bottom 33% of census tracts in the State for median household income.

“For far too long, certain communities in New Jersey have been overburdened by pollution. This legislation will help protect disadvantaged and minority communities that have been a dumping ground for facilities that no one wants. We have been trying to get legislation like this passed for over 20 years, and meanwhile these communities keep getting dumped on. Most of our toxic sites, airports, incinerators, cement plants, and other major polluting facilities are located in low-income, minority, and overburdened communities,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Now that this bill has passed the Senate, it needs to pass the Assembly. It is time that we start giving these communities a voice when it comes to all permits, as well as getting renewable energy and energy efficiency benefits, toxic cleanups, and access to parks and open space.”