For Immediate Release April 15, 2026
Contact: Luz Hernandez (214) 957-9242 or luz@cbecal.org
THE LEGAL FIGHT CONTINUES TO STOP THE MASSIVE, POLLUTING OAKLAND AIRPORT EXPANSION
East Oakland takes a stand for health and safety
Oakland, CA —Yesterday the trial began in a Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) lawsuit against the Port of Oakland for its 2024 approval of a plan to expand the Oakland International Airport (OAK). Residents and advocates rallied near the courthouse to raise their voices for environmental health and justice in East Oakland.
CBE’s lawsuit argues that the Port violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in using a substandard environmental report to justify the massive expansion plan.
CBE asserts that the Port ignored East Oakland community members, airport workers, scientists, doctors, environmental organizations, and other government agencies who warned that the plan was not sufficiently studied or disclosed to the public, and that it would cost human health and lives.
OAK is located in East Oakland, a predominantly Black and Latine low-income community that has experienced decades of heavy pollution from aviation, industrial facilities, freeways, and more. East Oakland has some of the worst air quality and environmental health outcomes in California, and pollutants from airport operations contribute to these harms.
“As an East Oakland resident and mother, our health is at risk on a daily basis because of the conditions in our community. East Oakland deserves to know the truth about this plan and its health impacts. We deserve good, healthy jobs, and sustainable transportation. We’re not a sacrifice zone for industry profits. Our environment, health, and well-being are not for sale,” says Adele Watts, program director with CBE.
“From my perspective on the project to expand the airport, the Port of Oakland does not care about the people who are going to be affected. I ask the Port, please listen to CEQA and follow the laws that are in place to protect us. In the name of all the kids and elders who are suffering from Asthma,” says Maria Vargas, CBE East Oakland member.
Fossil jet fuel combustion emits huge volumes of climate change-inducing greenhouse gasses (GHG) and toxic air emissions that are most concentrated at airport worksites and in surrounding communities. The proposed plan, if completed, would increase nitrogen oxide emissions 57 times over the threshold that the Air District sets, roughly equivalent to adding the yearly emissions of 473,000 gas-fueled cars all running in one spot.
“This plan fails to properly disclose or mitigate the expansion’s impacts and fails to consider alternatives that could be less environmentally harmful, like modernization without expansion. CEQA exists precisely for situations like this—to prevent the government and corporations from trading community health for the sake of profit,” says Sarah Chen Small, attorney with CBE.
CBE is asking the judge to not allow the project to move forward until the plan is approved with an improved new Environmental Impact Review. The next step is for the judge to issue his final order.
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