NJEJA Letter to PVSC Opposing Proposed Fourth Power Plant

On September 19, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance submitted a letter to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission detailing our opposition to the proposed fourth power plant to be built in the Ironbound community in the City of Newark. As the letter details, we unequivocally stand with the Ironbound Community Corporation and other individuals and organizations across the state who have urged the commission to vote no on this harmful project. 

“For months, if not years, the residents of Newark have opposed the construction of an additional power plant in their city due to valid health concerns. High rates of asthma, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive issues already plague the Ironbound community. Moving forward with this project would be a direct and disrespectful disregard for the health of the people who live, play, and work in this community. It would continue the harms of environmental racism and exacerbate the climate crisis.”

For questions regarding NJEJA’s position and related policy concern, please contact Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy at brooke@njeja.org.

Read the full letter below.

NJEJA Joins MFN Partners Supporting South Coast Rail Yard ISR

On July 30, NJEJA joined our partners at the Moving Forward Network in supporting the work of Southern California partners working to pass the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board’s Rail Yard Indirect Source Review Rule.

On August 2, the Governing Board passed the rule, a win for environmental justice communities in the surrounding areas.

Adopting the rule – which is designed to work in tandem with the CARB rules – will ensure a reduction in emissions associated with rail yards. Freight rail yards are now required to achieve 82% reductions by 2037.

For questions regarding NJEJA’s position and related policy concern, please contact Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy at brooke@njeja.org.

Read the full letter below.