Communities Have a Right to Clean Air

Yesterday, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners voted YES to building a FOURTH fossil-fuel power plant in Newark’s Ironbound, a devastating blow to a community that has spent years demanding clean air. This decision is a slap in the face to the residents, technical experts, and advocates who have laid out viable, cleaner solutions. Instead, PVSC chose to ignore science, health, and community voices in favor of its profits. Newark doesn’t need another polluting facility; the city needs REAL investment in its future, not more toxic infrastructure.

NJEJA stands with the Ironbound and those across the state who have spoken out against this dangerous decision.

To PVSC: We will not stop fighting. Everyone deserves clean air, regardless of their zip code.

Read our full statement below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2025

Press Contact: Melissa Miles, Executive Director | melissa@njeja.org

Communities have been clear in their opposition to this plan, and PVSC’s decision to support the plan directly flies in the face of community agency and autonomy. For years, a multitude of community members in the Ironbound, advocates, and residents from across the state have highlighted the ways that a fourth power plant would bring about dangerous increases in local air pollution and contribute to the effects of climate change. The approval of this project, which would burn natural gas and potentially utilize hydrogen fuel, directly contradicts the state’s clean energy goals. Any plan for additional plants that do not rely solely on truly clean energy risks increasing local air pollution levels, including both greenhouse gases and co-pollutant emissions.

PVSC’s decision represents a threat to both environmental justice and public health, as well as a direct disregard and disrespect to community members opposing this plan. We stand in solidarity with residents, community members, advocates, and community-based organizations who have vehemently opposed this project. We will not give up. We demand clean air for all persons across this state, regardless of their zip code. “

“I am disappointed that the Passaic Valley Sewerage commission has approve the construction of an additional power plant instead of taking this opportunity to collaborate with the community to create a solution that everybody could support.”
Nicky Sheats. Ph.D., Esq.,
Director, Center for the Urban Environment, Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University 
Senior Policy Fellow and Lecturer, Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment, School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

“It is very regrettable that the PVSC board of commissioners has chosen to vote against climate science, clean technology, and community voices. Our goal is to avert the health impacts of another toxic gas plant in an already environmentally overburdened community. Instead of taking the high road, PVSC continues to take the path of least economic and political resistance at the expense of the Ironbound and neighboring communities. We expect more from our utilities and our dollars.” 
Melissa Miles
Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance

“This yes vote is not only incredibly disappointing, but an example in which community members have been passed over and not valued as the equal stakeholders in this process that they are. Many technical experts, advocates, experienced community members, and residents have not only vocally opposed this project, but offered viable alternatives and solutions to the issues PVSC has raised. Newark does not want – or need – a fourth fossil-fuel burning power plant.”
Brooke Helmick
Director of Policy, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance

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To learn more and read our open letter to PVSC, click the button below.