MDE has developed a tool to identify overburdened and underserved communities, per Climate Solutions Now Act (2022), and develop an overall environmental justice score, per House Bill 1200 (2022). Overburdened communities are defined as any census tract that scored in at least the 75th percentile on three or more of these factors, PM2.5, Ozone, Diesel PM, Cancer Risk, Respiratory Hazard Index Risk, Traffic Proximity, TRI Facility Proximity, Hazardous Waste Landfill Proximity, Lead Paint Indicator, Risk Management Facility Proximity, Superfund Proximity, Hazardous Waste Proximity, Wastewater Discharge Indicator, Brownfield Proximity, Power Plant Proximity, CAFO Proximity, Mining Operation Proximity, Low Birth Weight, Asthma Discharges, Myocardial Infarction, and Lack of Broadband. Underserved communities are defined as any census tract that is at least 25% Low Income, at least 50% Non-White or Hispanic, or at least 15% Limited English Proficiency. The EJ Score is calculated by averaging the percentile scores for each category (Pollution Burden Exposure, Pollution Environment Effects, Sensitive Populations, and Socioeconomic/Demographic) and combining them into an averaged percentile EJ Score. Last Updated: 04/17/2025.