Geraldo Reyes Jr

My colleagues and I are continuing the fight to enhance the current Environmental Justice Law in Connecticut. On Monday, I attended two separate public hearings to speak with DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.

I fully support an updated, robust, and influential Environmental Justice Law that would be the national standard. Please watch the video below to watch my testimony.

We are pushing for an improved Environmental Justice Law.

Last year, a new bill proposed to expand the scope of the law and to strengthen the language. The proposal mandates developers to notify neighborhood & environmental groups of their plans IN WRITING. The bill also has a new clause automatically nullifying any application for a new facility if the applicant does not abide by the rules of public participation.

If the legislation passed in 2021, it would have stopped F&G Recycling in Waterbury from being approved after they failed to properly notify the public of their plans. The proposal would have protected communities in the south end.

In addition, an updated environmental justice law ensure outreach to residents in their preferred language. It would also protect clean air and water for people and wildlife. We will continue to fight to enhance the current law this legislative session.