The NJ EJ Law ( N.J.A.C. 7:1C) which was enacted in 2020, is a landmark legislation that requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate the environmental and public health impacts of certain facilities on overburdened communities. The law aims to ensure that all New Jersey residents, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, have the right to live, work, and recreate in a clean environment.
The law has been enforced through the adoption of regulations, that require specific procedures for applicants seeking permits to build certain facilities in overburdened communities. These regulations are meant to avoid and mitigate risks in areas that are disproportionately affected by environmental and public health stressors. Applicants must identify relevant environmental and public health stressors, prepare an Environmental Justice Impact Statement, and hold public hearings about the project. These regulations also mandate an environmental impact analysis for new development and renewal projects in overburdened communities.
Learn More about Overburdened Communities and EJ Law
- What Are Overburdened Communities (OBCs)?
- Where are OBCs?
- Under the EJ Rules, an applicant must hold an in-person public hearing in the host overburdened community to present the proposed project and hold meaningful public participation. For information on public hearings can be found Here.
- Any permit application submitted on or after 1/31/24 must use the new stressor data layer for analysis using the Updated EJ Mapping Tools.