MEPPN Supports the CHERISH Bill (Environment)
Hello St Anne's
Our legislative information continues. The session ends in April, so there is a lot of work that gets done at an increasingly high pace until then.
Today the focus is on an Environmental Bill called the Cherish Bill.
A simple sample letter for your legislators and links to the bill and your legislators will follow,
HB1268 CHERISH, a bill that requires the Department of the Environment to ensure that permits that increase pollution include strong pollution mitigation measures.
It aims to increase Environmental Protection for communities that have been especially hard hit by polluters such as electric, manufacturing and other high polluters. It is mandating that not only environmental risks are noted, but also addresses concerns for Public Health.
The hearing in the House is on March 10.
From there, it will be decided if it should go to a full House vote and then on to the Senate if it passes.
Your voices matter.
MEPPN (Maryland Episcopal Public Policy Network) is supporting this Bill.
We would like to urge you to write to your legislators and tell them how you feel personally about the Bill.
Thank you
Phill Reynolds (Environmental Justice) philreynolds60@hotmail.com
Susan Allen (Housing) susanallen0@mac.com
Lynn Mortoro (Health) ileos@aol.com
Link to HB1268 ( Cherish)
Thank you for your support!
Phil Reynolds
Find Your State Delegate and Senator
Click the button below to go to the Maryland Legislative website. Then click the Lookup tab and enter your street address or zip code to identify your state representatives.
Sample letter
(If you follow the link to contact your legislators, it will pop up with an email you fill in with your name, date etc.)
Dear
I am a member of St Anne's Episcopal Church in Annapolis.
I understand that the House Committee on Environment and Transport will soon be considering a vote on HB 1268: Environmental Permits - Requirements for Public Participation and Impact and Burden Analyses (formerly CHERISH Our Communities Act)
I view the CHERISH Our Communities Act as an important environmental justice initiative because it will give the Maryland Department of Environment clear authority to consider environmental justice when making permit decisions targeting those communities with high Environmental Justice scores. Under HB 1268, the state can require that permits that would increase pollution include strong pollution mitigation measures. The bill will also enhance public accountability by requiring meaningful community engagement and public notice for those permits impacting these communities.
I am urging you to give a Favorable Report on this very important Bill.
Thank you