[Press release] A new analysis from the Center for Biological Diversity, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles, CBE, and the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment. Read the report here. This important report ought to startle people about the vast volume of highly toxic chemicals used in drilling operations in the LA region. Some of these compounds such as Hydrogen Fluoride are so deadly that even the oil refineries have phased them out. We need to ask why regulators allow such dangerous operations that expand extreme energy oil drilling in highly populated regions. Either way, we pay for this energy, but we could instead invest in clean solar and electric vehicles. We don’t want communities to also pay for dirty energy at the expense of their health. Neither do we want these hazardous chemicals transported through our communities. People can also look up the data themselves at this Air District link. [Press release] A.G. Kamala Harris cited refinery safety, air pollution, and climate protection concerns with Chevron’s proposed Richmond refinery expansion—the same concerns raised by CBE. [Press release] Today CBE filed suit against the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for the District’s illegal permitting of the Chevron (“Modernization”) Expansion Project. Read also the legal complaint here. [Press Release] Bahram Fazeli, CBE’s Policy Director and our coalition partners react to the announcement of a multi-state goal of 3.3 million electric vehicles. Read what they have to say, here. [Press Release] CBE sponsored Charge Ahead CA Initiative (SB1275) passes 27-9 in the Senate. Read more. [Blog] Years of Caltrans Bulldozing Freeway Projects Through Communities of Color is Over. Read the blog post. [News] A first-of-its-kind report that looks at pesticide use near California schools. [Legislation] Charge Ahead California Campaign aims to place one million electric vehicles on California’s roads over the next 10 years and ensure that all Californians, especially lower income communities most impacted by air pollution, benefit from zero tailpipe emissions. After first passing unanimously through the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee, SB 1275 (de Leόn), the Charge Ahead California bill, passed through the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 30th, 2014, with bipartisan support. Senator Lara’s SB 1204, an important and complementary bill, also passed out of the committee. Next stop for both: Senate Appropriations. “There is growing appreciation and support for the Charge Ahead California Initiative among our elected officials as we aim to clean up the transportation sector in California, create green jobs and provide access to zero emission vehicles for communities most in need,” said Bahram Fazeli, Policy Director for Communities for a Better Environment, a co-sponsor of the bill. Read more about Charge Ahead here. CBE seeks a Legal Fellow for our LA office. Read more.
Oil Drilling Companies Used 45 Mill. lbs of Air Toxins in LA Area
Attorney General Confirms CBE Concerns over Chevron Refinery
Chevron Refinery Permit to Pollute Exposed
Multi-State Zero-Emission Vehicle Program Announced
Clean vehicle bill accelerates in the State Senate
Health Impacts from Fossil Fuels
New Blog Post on the I-710 Project
Pesticides near CA schools
Charge Ahead Bill Charges Forward
Legal position available in LA