Potential EJ Areas are U.S. Census block groups of 250 to 500 households each that, in the Census, had populations that met or exceeded at least one of the following statistical thresholds:

1. At least 52.42% of the population in an urban area reported themselves to be members of minority groups; or

2. At least 26.28% of the population in a rural area reported themselves to be members of minority groups; or

3. At least 22.82% of the population in an urban or rural area had household incomes below the federal poverty level.

The federal poverty level and urban/rural designations for census block groups are established by the U.S. Census Bureau. The thresholds are determined by a statistical analysis of the 2014-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) data, which is the most recent data available as of the time of the analysis in 2020. See DEC Commissioner Policy 29 on Environmental Justice and Permitting (CP-29) for more information.