Bill > HB1287

This bill, known as the CHERISH Our Communities Act, requires that any application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (a permit needed to build certain power generation facilities) for generating stations located within an "at-risk census tract" must include a "BURDEN report." An "at-risk census tract" is defined as an area within 1.5 miles of a census tract that is considered overburdened due to high levels of pollution, sensitive populations, or socioeconomic factors, as determined by the Maryland EJ tool, a state mapping tool that evaluates environmental justice indicators. The BURDEN report, which stands for Baseline Understanding of Risk, Disparities, and Environmental Needs, must detail the existing environmental and public health burdens in the at-risk area and how the proposed generating station might contribute to them. This report must include specific information such as the EJ Score (an overall evaluation of environmental justice indicators) for the proposed site and surrounding areas, a list of existing pollution sources, air quality data, traffic counts, noise and odor levels, and potential exposures to lead or contaminated drinking water. The bill also modifies the notification process for these applications, requiring that public notices include EJ scores for surrounding areas and a link to the BURDEN report. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Public Service Commission (the body that grants these certificates) must determine if approving an application would cause or contribute to adverse environmental or public health stressors in the at-risk area that are higher than those in other parts of the state; if so, the application will be denied unless the applicant can demonstrate a significant public interest benefit for that specific at-risk community, or the commission will impose conditions to protect environmental and public health. These new requirements do not apply to wind, solar, or geothermal energy generating stations.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1287?ys=2026RS