Bill

Bill > HR5842


US HR5842

US HR5842
Voices for Environmental Justice Act


summary

Introduced
02/11/2020
In Committee
02/11/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants to entities to enable such entities to participate in decisions impacting the health and safety of their communities in connection with the release of certain hazardous air pollutants and the permitting of solid waste disposal facilities and hazardous waste facilities, and for other purposes. This bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award grants to eligible entities to participate in decisions impacting the health and safety of their communities in connection with an actual or potential release of a covered hazardous air pollutant. Additionally, the bill authorizes the EPA to award grants to eligible entities to participate in decisions impacting the health and safety of their communities relating to the permitting or permit renewal of a solid waste disposal facility or hazardous waste facility. An eligible entity must be a group of individuals who reside in a community that (1) is a population or community of color, an indigenous community, or a low-income community; and (2) is in close proximity to the site of an actual or potential release of a covered hazardous air pollutant. Covered hazardous air pollutants include those listed on the Toxics Release Inventory or those identified as carcinogenic by an assessment under the Integrated Risk Information System of the EPA.

AI Summary

This bill, the Voices for Environmental Justice Act, authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award grants to eligible entities, such as groups of individuals from communities of color, indigenous communities, or low-income communities, to enable them to participate in decisions impacting the health and safety of their communities. This includes decisions related to the release of certain hazardous air pollutants, as well as the permitting or renewal of solid waste disposal facilities and hazardous waste facilities. The grants can be used for interpreting information, performing additional monitoring, and participating in the regulatory and permitting processes. The bill sets limitations on the grant amounts and allows for grant renewals at each step of the process. It also authorizes $5 million in appropriations annually for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 to carry out these provisions.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (on 02/11/2020)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...