Why Do We Need Hb 109 in PA?

By requiring the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate not just the proposed project, but the full scope of environmental and public health threats a community is already facing, this bill forces the state to look at the big picture. It means that new polluters won’t be rubber-stamped into neighborhoods already drowning in toxic exposure. The health implications are massive:

* Lower asthma rates in children,
* Reduced risk of cancer from hazardous air pollutants,
* Fewer cardiovascular issues linked to particulate matter,
* Less exposure to neurotoxins like lead and carbon monoxide.

Beyond the physical burdens, cumulative impacts affect mental health, economic productivity, and intergenerational equity. It opens the door to a reality where frontline communities aren’t just surviving, they’re healing and thriving.

This is a public health game changer, and while it’s still early and facing political opposition, this kind of legislation is what builds the foundation for environmental justice, not just environmental policy.