Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 4

Bill Title: Environment - Permitting Process - Environmental Justice Review

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Harrington

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: EHE

Bill Summary: This bill would have prohibited the Department of Environment from issuing or renewing environmental permits until the permit applicant conducted an environmental justice review to determine if an environmentally stressed community is disproportionately negatively affected by the proposed action. It would also have required that before construction of a new LNG facility or the expansion of an existing LNG facility, the owner must conduct an environmental justice review. If the department determined that a proposed action would disproportionately affect an environmentally stressed community, the applicant or ownerwould have been required to satisfy a series of requirements before receiving the permit or commencing the proposed action.

History: This bill died in the Education Health & Environmental Affairs Committee without a vote.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber opposed this bill because an environmental justice review requirement for all initial permits and permit renewals was a very broad application that could put into jeopardy sites currently in operation when permits are to be renewed or when permit modification applications are submitted. The 1 mile radius requirement was too expansive, and there was little to no environmental impact at that distance. The requirement to review all properties for one year before DSP is required to map environmentally stressed areas was not practical and got ahead of the intended goal. If reviews were to be done, they should be limited to designated areas that are truly environmentally stressed. Additionally, this bill would have added yet another step in the permit application process, which would have increased permit issuance time tables, as well as permitting costs for additional resources, such as technical consultants.

Position Statement: Click here (pdf)

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.