WE ACT Hosts Members of Congress Staff & Members Discuss Environmental Justice Issues & Solutions with Representatives Grijalva & Espaillat
On Saturday, March 12, we hosted House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Raul Grijalva and Representative Adriano Espaillat as well as staff from House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn Maloney & Representative Donald McEachin at our New York City headquarters. They listened to a presentation on WE ACT’s environmental justice issues and successes in West Harlem, and discussed environmental justice challenges with staff and members – including Miriam Aristy-Farer, Maritta Dunn, and Signe Mortensen – as part of Chair Raul Grijalva’s fact-finding tour for the Environmental Justice for All Act.
Senator Schumer & Representative Espaillat Join Our Membership Meeting
Earlier on Saturday, March 12, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and & Representative Adriano Espaillat joined our March Membership Meeting. Our staff discussed the work we have been doing in our Federal Policy Office in Washington, DC. And both members and staff were able to ask some questions of Senator Schumer and Representative Espaillat. If you missed the meeting, you can catch the video replay here.
Sonal Jessel Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Environmental Justice
On Friday, March 11, Sonal Jessel testified at a hearing held by House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn Maloney and House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Raul Grijalva on the cumulative impacts of pollution in frontline communities as part of a congressional fact-finding tour for the Environmental Justice for All Act, Justice in Power Plant Permitting Act, and Justice40 implementation. The hearing was held at NYCHA’s Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing complex in the nation. Sonal stressed the importance of centering race in Justice40 implementation, the role of cumulative impacts, and advancing the Environmental Justice for All Act.
Dana Johnson Speaks at Congressional Press Conference on Environmental Justice
Following the hearing on Friday, March 11, Dana Johnson spoke at press conference led by House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn Maloney and House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Raul Grijalva. She noted that Black Americans have a higher exposure to every source of pollution, which is why we are urging New York’s members of congress to support the Environmental Justice for All Act and Justice in Power Plant Permitting Act to address the cumulative impacts of pollution in these communities.
WE ACT Responds to EPA's Cross State Air Pollution Rule Proposal
Dana Johnson responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to update the Cross State Air Pollution Rule, which aims to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions with a more stringent cap and the full-time use of catalytic converters. Read our response here.
WE ACT Responds to US DOT & EPA's Clean Transportation Plan
Anastasia Gordon & Lonnie Portis responded to the U.S. Department of Transportation & Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation. They called for the investments in vehicle electrification and infrastructure to be supported by mandatory emission reduction standards that decrease exposure to carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds that contribute to climate change, poor air quality, and adverse health effects in our communities. Read our response here.
Holding Council Members Accountable for Their Green Promises
New York City’s 2021 elections brought us 38 new City Council members. This unprecedented turnover has brought us an unprecedented opportunity to hold these newly elected officials accountable for the environmental promises made during their campaigns. To ensure that the environment – and environmental justice in particular – remains a top priority for these officials, we have joined forces with the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and South Bronx Unite to form the Green Our City Now coalition. Our first step was publishing the Green Promises report, which highlights the environmental issues referenced in the campaigns of the newly elected council members. And now we are working on Green Pact, a report that will dive deeper into specific environmental justice issues in New York City, outline potential solutions, and ask council members to sign on and commit to addressing them – to Green Our City Now. Download the Green Promises report here (PDF).
Sonal Jessel and Jasmine Graham co-authored an Op-Ed in the New York Daily News on why New York State Governor Kathy Hochul needs to fund the All-Electric Building Act in the upcoming state budget. Not only would this move us closer to the climate goals set forth in the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, but the electrification of new buildings would reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, reduce harmful indoor and outdoor air pollution, and create good, green jobs. Read the Op-Ed here.
A New York Times article showcased a number of high-profile chefs singing the praises of cooking with induction stoves. The article also talked about our Out of Gas, In with Justice pilot program, which is replacing gas stoves with electric induction stoves in a NYCHA development in the Bronx to study the impact on indoor air quality. Read the article here.
Jasmine Graham was featured in an article in the Guardian examining rising utility rates in the U.S. She focused on the inequitable impacts of rising utility rates on our communities and the need for energy justice, calling for a transition to “a democratic, renewable energy system that prioritizes energy affordability for low-income folks.” Read the article here. If you are struggling with utility debt, download our utility debt brochure here (PDF), which is filled with helpful advice on how you can ease your burden. And you can take an active role by signing this utility debt petition here.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has earmarked $100 million for environmental justice programs. Speaking to Bloomberg Law, Dana Johnson said she is already looking at next year’s budget to make sure there is a long-term investment to address this long-term problem. Read the article here.
Harlem World Magazine reported that the All-Electric Building Act is included in the New York State Senate’s budget. In the article, Annie Carforo is quoted on the importance of this legislation for frontline communities like those in Northern Manhattan, and urges New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to include the bill in her budget. The All-Electric Building Act is based on New York City’s Local Law 154, mandating that new buildings be built to operate on electricity instead of gas and other fossil fuels. This will significantly reduce harmful indoor air pollution and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change - as well as create good, green jobs. Read the article here.
Film Screening Fundraiser for WE ACT at Patagonia's SoHo Store
Long-time supporters Patagonia will host a screening of Newtok, a documentary about an indigenous village in Alaska where the residents may become some of America’s first climate refugees. The screening is on Tuesday, March 22 at Patagonia’s SoHo store, located at 72 Greene Street. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the film starts at 7:00 PM. Masks are strongly encouraged, and RSVPs are required. RSVP here.
Community Engagement on Offshore Wind Farms
Come "chime" in about wind! Offshore wind farms are coming to the New York metropolitan area, and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is seeking input from residents of Northern Manhattan. Our staff will be participating, but we encourage you to join as well if you are interested in offshore wind energy.
