APEN members speak out for better health and jobs

Richmond, CA, July 14, 2009 - Standing in front of the North Richmond Center for Health, a range of Richmond residents spoke up about the Chevron refinery expansion’s threat to community health, challenged Chevron to follow through on its promise and cap crude oil production, and asserted a vision for healthy, green, just communities where health and jobs are not pitted against each other.

On June 4, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Barbara Zuniga ruled that the Environmental Impact Report supported by Chevron and approved by the City of Richmond was illegal because it did not disclose to what extent the project will allow Chevron to process dirtier oil and the harm that pollution could impose on the residents of Richmond. On July 1, she ordered that the expansion project be put on hold until a new, valid EIR is done. The management of Chevron, though they knew for more than a year that this EIR would be challenged in court, rushed ahead with the project. After the court decision, Chevron launched a PR campaign in conjunction with layoffs to drive a wedge between the community interests of jobs and health.

Chevron made over $23 BILLON in profits last year, yet Chevron has not taken simple steps like replacing their 1930’s boilers. “There are plenty of jobs in true upgrades to the refinery to create cleaner jobs.,” says Jessica Tovar of Communities for a Better Environment. “But instead, Chevron is just trying to retool the refinery to process this dirtier grade of crude oil. We say ‘stop the layoffs’ - the workers and community members should not pay for Chevron’s high-risk gambling.”

“Chevron and the oil industry are dinosaur industries facing extinction,” states Kay Wallis, a resident of Richmond and a healthcare worker with UCSF. “But in its last gasp in this project, Chevron wants to extract dirtier and dirtier crude and put Richmond’s health even MORE in jeopardy. I’ve seen first hand all the respiratory challenges community members face.”

The Chevron refinery in Richmond is the largest industrial polluter in the region. The EPA reported nearly 100,000 pounds of toxic waste from the site in 2007, including at least 38 different toxic substances, including more than 4,000 pounds of benzene (a known human carcinogen) and 455,000 pounds of ammonia, repeated exposure to which can cause an asthma-like allergy and lead to lung damage. The refinery is now and has been listed as in “high priority violation” of air compliance standards, among other violations, by the EPA every year since 2006.

Asthma rates in Richmond are twice as high as the national average. Children living in Richmond are already hospitalized for asthma at almost twice the rate of children in the rest of the county due to the impacts of toxic refinery flares emissions from Chevron. The local community, composed primarily of low-income people of color, suffers from disproportionately high rates of asthma, cancers, and health problems related to the refinery.

Long Samphalan, a Laotian immigrant and member of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, had no prior asthma conditions, but after 10 years in Richmond he contracted asthma and now rarely leaves his house because of his dependence on a respirator. “I came from to the U.S. in hope of health, but instead, myself, my son, and my 5-year-old granddaughter can’t breathe because of what Chevron’s done to the air.”

“Chevron stole my health,” said Marleen Quint, member of Communities for a Better Environment. In 1990, Marleen was diagnosed with thyroid disease followed by breast cancer less than two years later. She lost both breasts and her thyroid with no family history that would predispose her to either disease.

Chevron has promised the community that they will not refine heavier crude as part of this project, but refuses to agree to a cap on heavier crude oil production at the site.

“Look, all we’re saying is, ‘Chevron, simply DO as you SAY,’” asserted Sandy Saeteurn, of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. “Everyone else knows that we can and must have good jobs and community health. The City Council needs to take responsibility and make the neighborhood bully, Chevron, keep its word and cap the crude.”

For more information, take a look at this
fact sheet.

Come and Celebrate with CBE, APEN, and WCTC!

WE WON THE LAWSUIT! On June 4th 2009, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Barbara Zuniga tossed out the Environmental Impact Report for a major expansion at the Chevron Refinery, in Richmond, California. This is a significant victory over U.S. oil refinery expansions happening across the country!

Since the Spring of 2007, Communities for a Better Environment, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and West County Toxics Coalition have worked to stop the expansion of the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond. We have accomplished the first step towards achieving this goal. Come and celebrate with us!

MONDAY JUNE 22nd
5pm—8pm
FOOD, MUSIC, AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION!

Laotian Organizing Project
3727 Barrett Avenue and 38th Street
Richmond, CA 94805

To RSVP and for more information, contact:
Ana Orozco (CBE)……………(510) 302-0430 x12
Sandy Saeteurn (APEN) …………(510) 691-6236

LOP Supports Equitable Development in Richmond

Below is an excerpt from the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) press release. Over 25 LOP members came to support REDI's push to get support from the Mayor and City Council for policies which would improve land use, housing, economic development and transportation for Richmond's low-income people, people of color, and immigrants. LOP leaders presented a short skit demonstrating the housing problems facing Richmond, and the need for healthy and affordable homes the community.

"On Thursday evening [July 26th], community supporters of the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) called on the Mayor and City Council to enact policies that ensure future development leads to a more healthy and just Richmond.

"REDI is a diverse coalition of residents, faith leaders, organizations, and policy experts committed to growth that benefits rather than burdens existing residents. REDI actively promotes planning processes that involve low-income residents in the decisions that impact their lives and neighborhoods. The community forum was attended by over 250 local residents, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, City Council Members Tony Thurmond and Tom Butt.

"Every California city and county must have a written General Plan that describes a 10 to 15-year plan for growth. As Richmond embarks on updating its General Plan, local residents are demanding it include fair, healthy and equitable land use, housing, economic development, and transportation policy statements. Motivated by historic Richmond development that has yielded disparities and unequal distribution of resources, REDI members are promoting development that works for all Richmond residents.

"Equitable development policies can reduce poverty and social inequities, revitalize core neighborhoods, provide basic needs and services for all people regardless of socioeconomic status, and encourage the engagement of those most directly impacted by growth, such as low-income people, people of color and immigrants. Based on these principles, on Thursday night, REDI partners presented a set of specific policy recommendations that they hope will be included in Richmond’s updated General Plan. REDI seeks to have all Richmond City Council Members adopt the principles and policies."

View the full July 27 REDI press release (pdf)

Strong Threads: Stories of Justice from the Laotian Organizing Project

"Strong Threads", a short film about the Laotian Organizing Project is now on the web! You can find it here.

The Laotian community in Contra Costa County, CA lives in one of the most toxic regions in the nation. Surrounded by more then 350 industrial sites and toxic hazards, their home, school, and work environments are exposed to dangerous levels of lead, pesticides, and other chemicals on a daily basis.

Through stories with leaders from the Laotian Organizing Project, this tells the story of one way that the Laotian community has come together to transform the community into a place that is safe and healthy to live, work and play.