Southern California Campaigns and Projects

Wilmington

Located adjacent to the port of Los Angeles, the community of Wilmington is faced with enormous environmental challenges. Wilmington is a predominantly working class Latino community surrounded by 4 oil refineries and various industries related to one of the largest port complexes in the world.

Wilmington Campaigns:

Oil Refinery Accountability Campaign
CBE members in Wilmington have monitored and advocated for cleaner oil refinery practices since 1997. Using our three complementary departments of community organizing, legal strategies and scientific research, CBE has been successful in winning pollution reduction measures. Currently, CBE is working to ensure full implementation of the recently won refinery flare rule, that should result in significant reductions of toxic emissions from refinery flares. Additionally, CBE is working to improve adequate notification of emergency flaring to local residents.

Port Expansion
CBE is working with allies to monitor port expansion projects that might increase pollution in Wilmington and the region as a whole. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach combined form the largest port complex in the country and the third largest in the world. Approximately 40% of imports to the U.S. travel through this port complex, much of which is transported by diesel trucks. CBE advocates for clean technologies and public participation opportunities so that Wilmington residents have a voice in the decision-making process.

View Organizer, Jesus Torres' Bio »