Category: Featured

HUGE VICTORY FOR NATIONAL CITY AND CLEAN AIR

November 5, 2025 by Angelica Estrada

National City residents and community allies successfully defeated Texas-polluter, USD Group, LLC’s proposed fuel transfer station, which would have increased diesel pollution and truck traffic less than a mile from Kimball Elementary

Environmental Health Coalition’s statement on the community’s defeat of USD Group, LLC’s proposed fuel transfer station:

Yesterday, November 4, 2025, was a HUGE triumph for National City residents, Kimball Elementary students, and clean air. The National City Council listened to their constituents and unanimously voted to reject USD Group, LLC’s proposed fuel transfer station. It was a long hard-fought victory for National City residents, who have been speaking out against the project since they first learned about it in 2023. This win would not have been possible without the amazing coalition of residents, parents, educators, doctors, community-based organizations, and allies that came together to defend National City against this Texas-based corporate polluter. Olivewood Garden & Learning Center and SanDiego350.org were amazing partners in this fight. They empowered, engaged, and supported the community to organize and make their voices heard. We are so thankful for the National School District for showing up in defense of their students, and for the dozens of Kimball Elementary School students who wrote letters to the City Council in opposition to the project. This is what democracy looks like.

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If you would like to read more about the City Council vote, read this article.

Or you can watch the live stream here.

Port of San Diego Recognized for Clean Air Innovation

October 2, 2025 by Angelica Estrada

Port of San Diego Receives “Rising Star” Grade in New Clean Ports Report Card

Standout achievements include first-in-the-nation all-electric tugboat and cranes that produce zero pollution as models for other ports to follow

October 2, 2025 – The Port of San Diego was recognized as a “Rising Star” in a new national Clean Ports Report Card Project released today, earning one of the highest scores for its investments in zero-emission technologies and collaborative approach to implementing zero-polluting equipment in consultation with local communities.

Since adopting its Maritime Clean Air Strategy in 2021, the Port has begun to cut pollution from ships, trucks, and cargo-handling equipment. Investments include shore power at multiple terminals, a cutting-edge zero-emission truck charging station paired with a “Trucking-As-A-Service” program to make electric trucks more accessible, and a federal EPA Clean Ports Program grant to accelerate emission reductions. San Diego has also hosted the nation’s first all-electric cranes and first electric tugboat, setting a precedent for clean operations at ports across the country.

While the Port of San Diego has made significant investments in updated technology, it has a long way to go to meet its own goal of 100 percent of cargo trucks calling on the Port being zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Currently, only 1% of trucks servicing the Port are zero-emission.

“For decades, San Diego families living near the waterfront carried the heavy burden of diesel pollution,” said Kyle Heiskala, Policy Co-Director of Environmental Health Coalition. “By investing in zero-emission solutions, the Port is showing that community health, equity, and economic prosperity can go hand in hand. While scoring as a Rising Star, there is a lot more work that needs to be done to achieve the Port’s own goals by 2030.”

A National Model for Momentum

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency received $3 billion in federal funding to transition U.S. ports to zero-emission equipment, infrastructure, and air quality planning, also known as the EPA Clean Ports Program.

Federal lawmakers have also introduced key legislation — the Clean Shipping Act of 2025 and the International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2025 — to reduce ship emissions and create funding for zero-emission technologies.

Advocates point to San Diego as an example for how ports nationwide can seize this moment: by investing in cleaner operations, building trust with impacted communities, and aligning economic prosperity with public health.

Port facilities, states, and regions with ports must also act on their own to stay globally competitive and to reduce pollution that harms health. California should require cleaner shipping and trucking operations to protect vulnerable communities from pollution. Ports need to act as “good neighbors” and collaborate with the communities most impacted by their operations to help clean up their operations. The report cards provide a roadmap for constructive stakeholder collaborations with transparency around operations and the implementation of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program Funding. Without urgent federal, state, and port actions, we risk squandering this once-in-a-generation funding opportunity to reduce deadly pollution and deliver healthier, more prosperous communities.

Grading Ports: From Rising Star to Preparing to Launch

The Clean Ports Report Card evaluates ports in four categories:

Emissions Inventory – The Port tracks and reports emissions, enabling clear accountability.
Clean Air Planning – The Maritime Clean Air Strategy provides a roadmap with strong targets and milestones.
Emissions Reduction Actions – Early adoption of shore power, electric cranes, charging infrastructure, and the first electric tugboat demonstrate national leadership.
Community Engagement and Collaboration – Once adversarial, the Port’s relationship with advocates has transformed into a collaborative partnership built on shared clean air goals.

With a score of 80.9%, San Diego is showing how ports can deliver healthier communities while supporting thriving businesses.

“The Port of San Diego is proof that cleaner, more efficient operations are possible,” said José Franco Garcia, the Executive Director of Environmental Health Coalition. “Other ports should follow this example and use available federal funding to put public health at the center of their work.”

A Tool for Accountability and Action

Communities urge other ports to follow San Diego’s lead and use new federal funding to deliver real, measurable cuts in deadly pollution while creating economic opportunity. The Report Card reveals that many ports can make significant progress with easy-to-implement actions such as consistent air monitoring, comprehensive emissions inventories, measurable clean air plans, and authentic community engagement.

The Report Card is designed to be replicable by advocates across the country, with a template toolkit available to help communities evaluate and grade their own local ports.The Clean Ports Report Card equips residents and advocates with transparency tools to hold ports accountable and push for stronger public health protections.

The full Clean Ports Report Card, including grades for New York/New Jersey, Houston, and New Orleans, is available at cleanportsreportcard.org.

About the Clean Ports Report Card Project
The Clean Ports Report Card Project is a collaborative national initiative led by Better World Group, in partnership with Communities for a Healthy Bay, Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park, Environmental Health Coalition, Friends of the Earth, Heal the Bay, Pacific Environment, Parents Engaging Parents New Jersey, Public Citizen, Rise St. James, RiSE4EJ, Sierra Club, and West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. Together, these partners developed a replicable scoring framework to track port performance on pollution reduction, transparency, and community engagement—paving the way for cleaner, healthier port operations across the U.S.

Contact:

Angelica Estrada, angelicaE@environmentalhealth.org, 619-489-4457, Environmental Health CoalitionKyle Heiskala, kyleh@environmentalhealth.org, 619-474-0220 ext. 161, Environmental Health Coalition

National City Planning Commission Opposes Controversial Fuel Transfer Station

September 16, 2025 by Angelica Estrada

NATIONAL CITY PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED AGAINST USDG’S PROPOSED FUEL TRANSFER STATION

USD Group’s proposed fuel transfer station would increase lung-damaging diesel truck traffic within a mile of an elementary school, homes, and a church in National City.

NATIONAL CITY, CA, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 – The National City Planning Commission voted against approval (4 to 1) of USD Group LLC’s (USDG) proposed fuel transfer station. This project would be located less than a mile from Kimball Elementary School and Saint Anthony de Padua Church and would require the service of 72 lung-damaging, diesel-polluting oil tankers a day. Diesel emissions are known to cause cancer, damage lungs, and contribute to breathing problems like asthma. USDG is expected to appeal the decision to the National City Council.

“The community has made it loud and clear they do not want this dangerous project in their neighborhood poisoning the lungs of their children,” said Jose Franco Garcia, the executive director of Environmental Health Coalition. “The commissioners did the right thing by listening to the community and rejecting USDG’s fuel transfer station. If USDG chooses to appeal the decision, we have a strong coalition that will continue to push the National City Council to choose the health of its residents over corporate profit and stop this project.”

Prior to the Commission’s vote, EHC, Olivewood Gardens, and SanDiego350 held a rally at Kimball Park against the controversial project.

“As a clergy person, I consider it would be an immoral action to increase the amount of toxic gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels by up to 72 large trucks passing through National City every day, adding to the already bad air quality in this area of National City,” said Father Emmet Farrell, founder/member of Creation Care Ministry.

Following the rally, the coalition marched to City Hall to attend the Commission’s public hearing on the project. Close to 40 people gave testimony against USDG.

“I have a son with asthma, and I can see his struggle to breathe,” testified Margarita Morales, a National City resident, during the hearing. “Our health is more important than money.”

USD Group has agreed to pay National City $200,000 a year in “economic benefit” for the life of the project. These funds would not have to be used for clean air or health improvement projects to mitigate the harmful effects of the transfer station. According to Data USA, as of 2023, National City is home to an estimated 55,960 residents. $200,000 divided by 55,960 is just over $3.50. USD Group is anticipating that the fuel transfer station will receive 13,800 barrels of biofuel a day. On average, a barrel of biofuel costs $140, per the U.S. Department of Energy. The company will be bringing in an estimated $2 million a day.

“We are so thankful that the Planning Commission chose to protect the health of our children and community over the minimal short-term gain USDG is offering,” said Jen Nation, the executive director of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center. “We are calling on the National City Council to do the same! Our health, the health of our families, and the health of Kimball Elementary School shouldn’t have a price tag — it is priceless.”

In advance of a possible National City Council vote, EHC is asking residents to email the Council and demand they REJECT USDG’s proposed fuel transfer station. To send the email, visit bit.ly/RejectUSDG-email. Si hablas español, puedes enviarlo desde aquí: bit.ly/RECHAZEN-USDG-correo.

EHC gathered over 1,000 signatures urging the National City Council to reject USDG’s Fuel Transfer Station. By unanimous vote, the National School District passed a proclamation opposing the transfer station – linked here. The transfer station is also opposed by the Local 1931 of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, California Nurses Assocation, Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AB 617 Portside Environmental Justice Community Steering Committee, and Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice.

BACKGROUND:

USD Group, LLC (USDG) is proposing to build a fuel transfer station in National City, on West 18^th St, less than a ½ mile away from Kimball Elementary and St. Anthony of Padua Church. Railcars would carry toxic fuel to the station and transfer it to heavy-duty trucks to distribute it throughout San Diego.

Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this project would dramatically increase the number of diesel-polluting trucks driving past National City homes, schools, parks, and churches. West National City already breathes more diesel pollution than 90% of communities in CA. Diesel emissions are known to cause cancer, damage lungs, and contribute to breathing problems like asthma. 

The trains and trucks associated with this project would carry large quantities of highly flammable, toxic chemicals. If they crash or have an accident, it puts the neighborhood at risk of a major catastrophe, like in Palestine, Ohio, where a train carrying chemicals crashed, causing a fire and evacuations.

On Monday, June 2, 2025, the National City Planning Commission postponed its original vote on the project at the request of the California Coastal Commission. In a letter, the Coastal Commission requested “…additional time for our staffs to work together to address the project’s inconsistencies with the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) and the Coastal Act…” The letter also read, “the city’s responses to commission staff’s comments regarding environmental justice concerns have been inadequate.”

KEY FACTS:

The station would require 70-240 heavy-duty diesel trucks (oil tankers) per day
Diesel emissions are known to cause cancer, damage lungs, and contribute to breathing problems like asthma
West National City already breathes more diesel pollution than 90% of communities in CA
Children in National City have a higher rate of asthma emergency room visits than the county average
In Portside communities, 84% of cancer risk is from diesel pollution

To learn more, visit bit.ly/USDGFuel25, and to download the fact sheet – click here. You can read the California Coastal Commission’s letter here.

CONTACT:

Angelica Estrada

angelicae@environmentalhealth.org

562-708-3093

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Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) works for environmental justice in the San Diego/Tijuana region and throughout California. Founded in 1980, EHC has worked to reduce pollution and improve health and well-being for thousands of people in underserved, low-income communities.

EPA Terminates $20 Million Grant for Climate-resilience Projects in San Diego

May 9, 2025 by Angelica Estrada

Environmental Health Coalition Responds to EPA’s Official Termination of a $20 Million Community Change Grant for Climate-resilience Projects in San Diego.

On May 2, 2025, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) learned that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had officially terminated a $20 million Community Change Grant (CCG) to fund clean-air and climate-resilience projects in San Diego’s Historic Central Barrios; – Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Stockton, Shelltown, Southcrest, Mount Hope, Grant Hill.

The official letter of termination stated, “this EPA Assistance Agreement is terminated effective immediately on the grounds that the remaining portion of the Federal award will not accomplish the EPA funding priorities for achieving program goals. The objectives of the award are no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities.”

In response, EHC’s Executive Director, Jose Franco Garcia issues the following statement:

The EPA terminated this grant because of who it was going to help – low-income communities of color who have unfairly suffered for generations from toxic, lung-damaging pollution and severe underinvestment. This grant would have helped fund air filters for children with asthma, home upgrades for low-income families, non-polluting buses, and more in these neighborhoods. We need to ask ourselves why this administration doesn’t want children with asthma breathing cleaner air? If clean air and a healthy environment are not consistent with this EPA’s priorities, then what is?

This is a huge hit to our communities, but EHC’s commitment to fight for environmental justice is unwavering, regardless of who is in the Oval Office. Environmental justice is the simple idea that all people deserve to live, work, and play in a clean and safe environment no matter what their zip code is. Now, we are calling on California’s Strategic Growth Council to step up and use Prop 4 funding to get the community back some of what was lost with the EPA grant termination.

Background

In 2024, the EPA awarded the CCG to the San Diego Foundation (SDF) to help fund the now impacted projects, which are part of Rooted in Communidad, Cultivating Equity, a joint initiative with EHC to develop climate-resilient projects that will preserve, protect and strengthen San Diego’s Central Historic Barrios. Without the CCG funding:

the Boston Avenue Linear Park, a project decades in the making, is defunded.

the MTS Electric Bus Program, a key project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is canceled.

the Holistic Healthy Homes program will have to provide fewer low-income families with free home upgrades that improve air quality, lower energy costs, and make homes more resilient to climate change disasters.

Workforce Development Programs to provide training and placement in good-paying green jobs will face deep cuts.

La Via Verde, Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center’s free electric shuttle service – which reduces air pollution and traffic – will have to decrease ride services drastically.

EHC, SDF, and a coalition of community partners will continue their work on the remaining RICCE projects, which will contribute to a community that is cleaner, healthier, and better prepared for climate change disasters. These projects are wholly or partially funded by a $22 million Transformative Climate Communities grant.

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About Environmental Health Coalition

About Transformative Climate Communities

The California Strategic Growth Council’s (SGC) Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC), administered in partnership with the California Department of Conservation, funds community-led development and infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health, and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit https://sgc.ca.gov/grant-programs/tcc/.

$20M for Climate Resiliency in Central Historic Barrios

July 25, 2024 by Angelica Estrada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego Foundation Selected to Receive $20M U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant to Support Sustainability, Climate Resiliency in Central Historic Barrios

Grant to Fully Fund Transformative Climate Communities Local Health Initiative

SAN DIEGO (July 25, 2024)—San Diego Foundation (SDF) announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected it to receive $19,999,317 for its joint initiative with the Environmental Health Coalition to help fund climate-resilient projects that will preserve, protect and strengthen San Diego’s central historic barrios.

“We are grateful to the EPA for recognizing how transformational this funding will be for San Diegans,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO, SDF. “This federal grant is an endorsement of our coalition of partners and community-driven approach to fund much-needed projects that will improve the health and lives of residents in our central historic barrios and create a healthier, more vibrant and resilient community,”

The EPA grant will be combined with a previously announced $22 million grant received in December 2023 from the California Strategic Growth Council for the Transformative Climate Communities initiative, “Rooted in Comunidad, Cultivating Equity.”

“San Diego’s central historic barrio communities are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change like extreme heat or wildfires, because of existing toxic pollution, disinvestment and chronic disease like asthma,” said José Franco García, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “Residents that suffer these conditions have voiced the community’s need for investments in clean air, green spaces, healthy homes and pollution-free transit. Now, we can put their vision into action in order to help their families and neighbors thrive for generations to come.”

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for families in San Diego and across the region. This funding demonstrates our continued commitment to addressing long-standing environmental and climate justice challenges and investing in the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52). “I’m proud to have voted for the Inflation Reduction Act to support projects just like this one and look forward to seeing the positive impacts to come.”

“Efforts to address climate change need to include all communities, especially neighborhoods that have historically been underfunded. The nearly $20 million in Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change grant money coming to San Diego will fund much-needed improvements to air quality, expand access to clean public transportation, and provide green space that will mitigate extreme heat and beautify neighborhoods. This is another great example of how the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is truly helping all Americans,” said Representative Scott Peters (CA-50).

Through the grants, the neighborhoods encompassing San Diego’s central historic barrios will experience unprecedented investment in green spaces, housing and transportation, community-led food production and distribution, and community centers, among other climate-resilient and community benefit projects. San Diego’s central historic barrios include the seven neighborhoods of Logan, Stockton, Grant Hill, Mt. Hope, Sherman, Southcrest and Shelltown. For a full description of projects, visit the Environmental Health Coalition’s project proposal website.

In 2022, Environmental Health Coalition and SDF, along with 10 partners, worked to ensure their project plan was grounded in the community and led by the community. During the application-building period for the California Strategic Growth Council, Environmental Health Coalition hosted a survey and two community workshops that included participation and feedback from 400-plus community members.

The EPA grant is one of seven awarded in California and one of 21 nationwide by the EPA during this inaugural round of funding. Selected applicants help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience and build community capacity. Made possible by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single-largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history. The funding announcement is the first tranche of nearly $2 billion from the program that was designed based on community input to award grants on a rolling basis. For more information on the Community Change Grants Program and a full listing of awards, visit EPA.gov.

About San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region. Our strategic priorities include advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, building resilient communities, and delivering world-class philanthropy to realize our vision of just, equitable and resilient communities. The Environment Initiative preserves and protects our resources, builds a more sustainable path of economic growth and ensures a higher quality of life for those who call San Diego home. For nearly 50 years, SDF and its donors have granted $1.8 billion to support nonprofit organizations strengthening our community. Learn more at SDFoundation.org.

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Contact: Lorena Nava Ruggero, lruggero@sdfoundation.org, 619-814-1365

Toxic lead in fashion: the true cost

April 26, 2024 by Angelica Estrada

Over 25% of fashion accessories tested from Ross and Burlington contained toxic lead levels

by Ash Valentin

On TikTok, a prevalent running joke revolves around Mexican moms enjoying shopping at Ross and Marshalls for hours. Though humorous, this joke bears a seed of truth. I’ve personally endured numerous hours at Ross as my mom meticulously browses through every clothing rack, adding more items to an already overflowing cart. Upon reflecting on these experiences, I find myself pondering the potential extent of lead exposure, polychlorinated biphenyls exposure, and other potentially toxic chemicals that my family and I may have encountered over the years.

In recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about the presence of harmful chemicals in everyday products. Proposition 65, formally known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, stands as a crucial piece of legislation aimed at protecting public health from exposure to toxic substances. Proposition 65, initially passed in California, requires businesses to provide warnings to consumers about significant exposures to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm (OEHHA). The law covers a wide range of products, including food, beverages, household products, and even clothing.

While it has been a topic of discussion for decades, its relevance remains significant, especially in light of recent controversies surrounding high levels of lead found in clothing sold by retail companies like Ross, Burlington, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack, and TJ Maxx (CEH). Lead is a heavy metal known for its harmful effects on human health, especially children causing brain damage, learning disabilities, and aggressive behavior. Lead is also one of the key chemicals that Proposition 65 addresses (CEH). While lead exposure is commonly associated with sources like lead-based paint, lead-contaminated house dust, and contaminated water, it may also be present in certain textiles, particularly those imported from regions with less stringent regulations (EARTH DAT). Lead can find its way into clothing through various means, such as dyes, pigments, or embellishments, posing a risk to both consumers and workers involved in the manufacturing process (NCBI).

Fashion-Accessories-CEH-Purchased-at-Ross-Stores-in-2022

Emily DiFrisco’s article: “Toxic Fashion: New Report Reveals High Lead Levels in Off-Price Retailer Accessories” presents insightful analysis with more statistics about the high lead levels found in the retail stores. I highly recommend reading it, especially considering their revelation that in 2022, “over 25% of fashion accessories tested from Ross and Burlington contained lead levels ranging from 0.03% to 1.7%, as reported by nonprofit watchdog Center for Environmental Health (CEH)”. These findings have raised concerns among consumers and sparked debates about the adequacy of regulations. Exposure to lead via clothing can happen either by direct skin contact or ingestion, and it’s been associated with heightened chances of cardiovascular diseases and various health issues in adults and children (NCEBI). Even minimal exposure to lead can negatively impact neurodevelopment, potentially causing cognitive and behavioral disorders (NCEBI).

Decades of environmental racism have subjected residents from Southeast San Diego to the harmful consequences of unjust policies and actions, evident in instances like the contamination of soil with Polychlorinated Biphenyls and pollution of bay waters in Logan Heights (IHPSD). Consequently, Logan Heights residents face significantly elevated rates of asthma hospitalizations, cancer risks, and mental health disorders compared to national averages (IHPSD). Disparities in the distribution of stores are glaring, with the Coronado community having no retail stores like Ross while Southeast San Diego has over five, exemplifying inequities in access to resources like affordable and safe retail options. These disparities compound existing vulnerabilities, including limited green spaces, inadequate healthcare, and scarcity of healthy food options, further exposing communities like Logan Heights to risks like lead exposure and harmful pollutants.

Proposition 65 plays a crucial role in alerting individuals to potential dangers, yet its efficacy hinges on strong enforcement and business cooperation. Retailers bear the responsibility of ensuring product safety and addressing any chemical contamination promptly. Conversations with our families about high levels of lead or other toxic chemicals in commonly used items like clothing and accessories can be challenging. Often, the conversation shifts towards the affordability of clothing rather than delving into its material composition or considering potentially harmful chemicals that the product may contain. Although there’s no perfect solution for persuading our loved ones to stop shopping at such establishments, initiating these dialogues with care for their safety and well-being is essential.

However, it is imperative that our communities have access to affordable and safe products. With their vast resources, multi-billion companies like Ross and Marshalls have the means to implement basic safety measures to protect both their workers and consumers. It is essential for these corporations to cease the distribution of products containing harmful chemicals, ensuring they never reach store shelves or the hands of consumers and workers. Access to reasonably priced items should not come at the expense of sacrificing health within our community.

In the long run, the actions of the retail stores negatively impact the health of already vulnerable communities while they benefit from the profits. Low-income communities face greater health risks than affluent communities due to limited access to or inability to afford eco-friendly goods and products. The connection between Proposition 65 and retailers like Ross and Burlington highlights the need for heightened awareness and scrutiny regarding chemical contaminants in garments and health disparities in communities that already have a long history of environmental racism. As consumers, we must remain vigilant and informed, demanding greater accountability from businesses and advocating for policies that prioritize our health and well-being. Despite my mother’s continued shopping at these retail stores, I find solace in her heightened awareness of its impacts and her increased conscientiousness regarding her purchases, indicating that our dialogues have sown a seed of change.

Sources:

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