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Environmental Health Coalition

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Victory!! Community Protests End Mega Polluting Cement Warehouse Scheme

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EHC and community activists win the fight against Mitsubishi Cement Corporation’s (MCC) proposed mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego. The massive distribution center could have doubled lung-damaging diesel truck traffic in Barrio Logan and West National City

SAN DIEGO, CA, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – In response to years of opposition from Barrio Logan and National City residents, community organizations, and environmental groups, the Port of San Diego announced today that negotiations with MCC have stalled in it’s bid to construct and operate a mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Ave. Terminal in Barrio Logan.

This massive industrial operation would have imported cement materials and up to 10,500 diesel-polluting lung-damaging truck tripspast homes, schools, and parks in Barrio Logan and West National City. Diesel pollution is known to cause cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases.

“This would never have been proposed in a community like Coronado, so why do Logan and National City have to continually fight for the right to breathe clean air?” asked Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan Policy Advocate, Environmental Health Coalition. “The reason is environmental racism. Today, we celebrate our victory but also send a clear message to decision-makers: do not allow proposals like MCC to come forward again. The community is clear – no more diesel death.”

The Board of Port Commissioners rejected the same proposal from MCC in 2020. They gave MCC a strong and clear directive to develop measurable zero-emission (ZEV) truck requirements for the project. In those two years, MCC failed to present any plans for ZEV trucks.

“Mitsubishi disrespected the community by refusing to come forward with any plans to use zero emission trucks,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder of the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC). “They also underestimated the strength, commitment and persistence of residents who pushed back hard – refusing to allow more deadly pollution in our communities,” she continued. “EHC is hopeful that the Port and other potential tenants are mindful of their promise to be a good neighbor and we look forward to working with the Port to recruit responsible industries.”

Barrio Logan and West National City, low-income communities of color, breathe more diesel pollution than 90% of the state. MCC’s warehouse, which would distribute 600,000 metric tons of cement materials a year- 35% of MCC’s total production – would be locatedwithin a mile of Cesar Chavez Park and Perkins Elementary School. Children in these communities already have double the overall county’s asthma hospitalization rate.

“Our children and families deserve clean air, good health and a decent place to live,” said Maritza Garcia, a second-generation Logan Heights resident. “The MCC proposal would have created more deadly pollution, more asthma, and more cancer risk. We said NO and we won!”

More than 800 community members emailed or wrote letters to the Port Commissioners calling on them to reject MCC’s proposed cement warehouse. A coalition of community activists, environmental justice advocates, educators, and faith leaders rallied and protested at the Port building in December and more than 30 testified in opposition to the proposal.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit www.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

We Won’t Allow Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC) to Poison Our Lungs

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On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, we made our voices heard! Community activists, residents, faith leaders, doctors, and educators rallied at the Port of San Diego’s Administrative Building. We made it loud and clear we won’t allow Mitsubishi Cement Corporation to poison our lungs by adding up to 10,500 deadly diesel-polluting truck trips past our homes, schools, and parks.

Watch the rally here!

After the rally we packed the Port’s hearing room. More than 30 people provided public testimony against MCC’s proposed project. In the week’s leading up to the rally Port Commissioners received close to 300 emails in opposition to the project, and our partners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church gathered around 500 letters in opposition.

We showed up strong and made an impact. Still, MCC is not giving up and neither are we. MCC has NO plan to transition to pollution-free heavy-duty trucks – despite the Port asking them to make one two years ago. They have made little to no effort to engage the community in the five years they’ve been developing this project. MCC does NOT care about our community, our schools, our parks, our health, or our children.

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to raise our voices to defeat MCC. We kept them out in 2020, we kept them out in 2022, and we will continue to do so in 2023!

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EHC’s Incoming Executive Director

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Welcome EHC’s Incoming Executive Director, José Franco Garcia

Versión en español a continuación

Franco Garcia

We are thrilled to announce that José Franco Garcia – Franco – has been selected as EHC’s new Executive Director. 

“Franco is uniquely qualified to step into this important role as an experienced organizer and advocate who has worked with EHC for over 12 years. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our communities and environmental justice throughout his time with EHC,” said Margaret Godshalk, EHC’s Board President.   

Franco is currently EHC’s Policy Director and previously served as the organization’s Organizing Director.  He has led countless campaigns in all of EHC’s core communities – City Heights, Barrio Logan, National City, and Colonia Chilpancingo, Tijuana in addition to developing and directing EHC’s civic engagement campaigns.  Before joining EHC in 2012, Franco worked with Coalition of Neighborhood Councils and the United Domestic Workers of America.

“I am honored and grateful for this opportunity. The environmental justice legacy that Diane Takvorian and others began over 40 years ago built a movement that continues to grow and win. I am excited about our EHC team and look forward to our continued victories toward the EJ future that all communities deserve.”

EHC has a long history of, and a well-deserved reputation for, developing and nurturing environmental and social justice activists. Franco’s selection certainly reinforces those values and demonstrates EHC’s commitment to leadership development.

Franco will assume the position in February 2023 from co-founder and current Executive Director Diane Takvorian. She will continue to work with EHC as a strategic advisor.

EHC is grateful for the enormous support we have received over the past 42 years from our members, allied organizations, elected representatives, and funders.  We are proud of the change that we have created together in the pursuit of environmental, racial, and social justice.  We know that you will all continue to support EHC’s critical work as we navigate this transition together.  We are looking forward to EHC flourishing and achieving even more in the next 40 years.

ayúdanos a dar la Bienvenida al próximo Director Ejecutivo de EHC, José Franco García

Estamos estamos muy emocionados de anunciar que José Franco García (Franco) ha sido seleccionado como el nuevo Director Ejecutivo de EHC.

“Franco está excepcionalmente calificado para asumir este importante papel, como organizador y abogador experimentado que ha trabajado con EHC más de 12 años. A lo largo de su tiempo en EHC ha demostrado constantemente su compromiso con nuestras comunidades y con la justicia ambiental”, dijo Margaret Godshalk, presidenta de la mesa directiva de EHC.

Actualmente, Franco es Director de Políticas de EHC y anteriormente fue el director de organizar. Ha dirigido innumerables campañas en las comunidades principales de EHC: City Heights, Barrio Logan, National City y Colonia Chilpancingo en Tijuana, además de desarrollar y dirigir la campaña de participación cívica de EHC. Antes de unirse a EHC en 2010, Franco trabajó con Coalition of Neighborhood Councils y United Domestic Workers of America.

“Me siento honrado y agradecido con esta oportunidad. El legado de justicia ambiental que Diane Takvorian y otras comenzaron hace más de 40 años creó un movimiento que continúa creciendo y ganando. Estoy entusiasmado con nuestro equipo de EHC y espero con ansias continuar nuestras continuas victorias por la justicia ambiental que todas las comunidades merecen”.

EHC tiene una larga historia, y una bien merecida reputación, por desarrollar y alentar a activistas ambientales y de justicia social. La selección de Franco es evidencia de esos valores y demuestra el compromiso de EHC al desarrollo del liderazgo.

Franco recibirá el cargo en febrero de 2023 de la cofundadora y directora ejecutiva actual, Diane Takvorian. Diane continuará trabajando con EHC como consejera estratégica. EHC agradece el enorme apoyo que hemos recibido durante los últimos 42 años de nuestros miembros, nuestros aliados, representantes elegidos y financiadores. Estamos orgullosos del cambio que hemos creado juntos en la lucha por la justicia ambiental, racial y social. Sabemos que todos ustedes continuarán apoyando el trabajo fundamental de EHC mientras navegamos juntos por esta transición. Esperamos que EHC se florezca y logre aún más en los próximos 40 años.

Environmental Health Coalition’s Responds to the Air District Hearing Board’s decision on New Leaf Biofuel.

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Barrio Logan – On October 27, 2022, Environmental Health Coalition issued the following statement in response to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Hearing Boards decision to grant New Leaf Biofuel a Stipulated Amendment Order that allows them until December 9, 2022 to install an air odor control system.

“Barrio Logan residents are asked once again to wait for clean air. EHC is disappointed with the SDAPCD Hearing Board’s decision to allow New Leaf to continue polluting the neighborhood with its putrid smell. While residents suffer nausea, headaches, and sore throats, New Leaf will continue to profit. SDAPCD must enforce the abatement order. After a year of waiting for relief, Barrio Logan residents will not tolerate any further extensions.“

It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week!

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October 23-29, 2022

2022 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week’s theme is “Get the facts, get your child tested, get your home tested.”

Parents and caregivers of children under the age of six, this is the week to inform ourselves about childhood lead poisoning prevention.

Lead poisoning is the #1 environmental health threat facing children under the age of six as their brains are still undergoing development.  We recommend that all children under the age of six get tested for lead.  As a reminder, the CDC has determined that there is no safe level of lead.  And, because the #1 source of childhood lead poisoning is the lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in pre-1978 homes, it’s important to get your home tested for lead.  Making sure the paint is in good condition and renovation projects done safely is key to maintaining a lead-safe home. 

Martiza Garcia, Logan Heights activist and a new mom of six-month old Hinata Garcia attends community events to learn how to make her community healthier.  She reminds her neighbors to “keep getting informed, keep speaking up, every child should live in a healthy home and a healthy neighborhood”.

Childhood Lead Poisoning- Know the Facts

How to Prevent Lead Poisoning in Children

CDC Lead FAQs

Protect your Family from Sources of Lead (US EPA)

Is there lead in my drinking water?

Lead Paint Safety Guide

On Clean Air Day, Barrio Logan Activists Take Action to Stop Putrid Smell Plaguing Residents

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Barrio Logan activists launch petition urging San Diego Air Pollution Control District’s (SDAPCD) Hearing Board to stop New Leaf Biofuel from producing a terrible odor that is making residents sick, including seniors living at Barrio Senior Villas Apartments.

BARRIO LOGAN, CA, October 5, 2022– Today, on California Clean Air Day, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) and community leaders will launch a petition drive urging the SDAPCD Hearing Board to stop New Leaf Biofuel from producing a hazardous odor that is making residents sick. EHC invites community members to visit Barrio Senior Villas Apartments, located on 2322 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA, 92113, today from 3 PM to 7 PM to sign the petition and learn how they can fight for clean air. They will also be giving out Youth Opportunity Passes and free air monitors and purifiers to qualified residents.

“What the seniors at Barrio Senior Villas, and the surrounding community, are suffering because of New Leaf Biofuel is unacceptable and would never happen in a neighborhood like Coronado or Del Mar,” said Diane Takvorian, EHC Executive Director. “The community isn’t going to let this continue. That is why we are standing in solidarity with them on Clean Air Day and every day until they can breathe easy.”

Located across the street from Barrio Senior Villas Apartments, New Leaf Biofuel is a company that processes used cooking oil to produce biodiesel. This process creates a noxious smell. Chemicals and raw products used in the biodiesel-making process can be extremely dangerous to people’s respiratory health. Within 100-600ft of the facility, there are dozens of single-family homes, businesses, and a preschool/daycare. In addition to breathing some of the most diesel-polluted air in the state, New Leaf’s neighbors have endured its smell for years.

“On some days, the smell from New Leaf burns our throats and eyes, and makes us want to throw up,” explained Miguel Espinosa, the property manager at the Barrio Senior Villas Apartment complex. “With the heatwave this past month, it has been very difficult for my residents and I because the complex doesn’t have air conditioning. Several of my residents had to choose between keeping their windows closed and risking heat exhaustion or opening their windows and getting sick from the smell – it’s really a dangerous situation.”

On September 9,2022, SDAPCD sent a letter to New Leaf Biolfuel’s president Jennifer Case. The letter explained that after more than 17 official community complaints, over 47 APCD Air Quality Inspector visits, and 3 Notices of Violation related to odors, SDAPCD will file a petition with the District Hearing Board requesting an Order for Abatement. This order would require New Leaf to stop the creation of nuisance odors.

“New Leaf has a history of being a bad neighbor, and SDAPCD’s action is a powerful statement,” said Nicholas Paúl, EHC Air Quality Advocate. “Through this letter, SDAPCD is sending a clear message to industry that the health and quality of life of San Diego residents matters, and that industry cannot ignore community complaints and notices of violation by SDAPCD.”

A hearing to discuss the Abatement Order will occur on October 27, 2022, from 9 AM-11 AM at the County Administration Center (Room 358). EHC invites community members to participate and share their lived experiences.

The petition to stop New Leaf from producing the sickening odor can be signed online at bit.ly/NewLeafPetition.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION
Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit www.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.