§ 62L — Environmental justice council; membership; duties; recommendations

Section 62L. There shall be an environmental justice council to advise and provide recommendations to the secretary of energy and environmental affairs on relevant policies and standards to achieve the environmental justice principles. The council shall consist of not less than 9, but not more than 15, members appointed by the governor, who shall designate a chair. Members may be removed without cause, by the governor. All members shall serve without compensation.The secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall consult with the environmental justice council before making any substantial adoptions, revisions or amendments to any regulation related to the definition of environmental justice population as defined in section 62.The environmental justice council shall conduct a comprehensive analysis by not later than July 31, 2022, and every fifth year thereafter, to ensure the definition of environmental justice population achieves the objectives of the environmental justice principles, pursuant to the definitions of environmental justice population and environmental justice principles contained in section 62. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of this definition as compared to the demographics of environmental justice populations in the commonwealth. As part of the analysis, said council shall provide advice and make recommendations to the secretary on any necessary changes to the percentage thresholds included in this definition and any related regulation. The secretary shall consider the recommendations of the council regarding any proposed changes to the percentage thresholds under this definition; provided, however, that such changes are needed to achieve and promote the environmental justice principles as defined under said section 62. Proposed regulations shall be adopted only after the approval of the council by a majority vote in the affirmative of those members so voting.The environmental justice council may recommend and provide advice to the secretary on proposed substantial legislative or regulatory changes related to this definition at any time prior to conducting a comprehensive analysis.