Fighting to Live

Sharon Lavigne of RISE ST. JAMES is this year's Laetare Medal laureate, considered the most prestigious award for American Catholics, with previous recipients including Presidents John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, former Speakers of the House John Boehner and Tip O'Neill, Sister Helen Prejean, actor Martin Sheen, musician Aaron Neville, and many more. Congratulations Ms. Sharon!

2022 Laetare Medalist Sharon Lavigne

“Sharon has been a source of hope and inspiration to both myself and the community. She is always working to help the people of St. James. And when she speaks out on behalf of them, she speaks passionately.”—Chasity White, resident of St. James Parish

EPA EJScreen Tool Trainings

 

Upcoming EJScreen 2.0 Tool Office Hours and Trainings

 

EPA is hosting the next virtual ‘Office Hours’ and Trainings for users of EJSCREEN, the Agency's environmental justice screening and mapping tool. Office Hours are a chance for the public to talk with EPA EJScreen experts about many topics including how to use and apply the tool, technical issues, and any other questions. The trainings will include information on the updates made to EJScreen 2.0, a demonstration of the newly available features, and tips on how to use the tool. All sessions are free, and registration is not required.

 

• April 20, 2022 Office Hours at 12 pm E.T. - Click Here to Join

 

• April 6, 2022 Training at 12 pm E.T. - Click Here to Join

 

• May 4, 2022 Training at 12 pm E.T. - Click Here to Join

 

We hope that you will join these open discussions and trainings to learn about EJSCREEN, as well as to get your questions answered.

 

Background

 

This updated version of EJScreen, known as EJScreen 2.0, makes important improvements to better meet the needs of users and provides expanded insight into EJ concerns in overburdened communities. The redesigned interface of EJScreen 2.0 includes new data on environmental burdens, socioeconomic factors, climate change, health, and critical service gaps.

 

For more information on the EJSCREEN Office Hours and Trainings and to access recordings of past sessions, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen/ejscreen-office-hours.

 

For more information on EJSCREEN, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen.

perks of power

 

"Those who are concerned with the massive project fear its residential location will upend their lives and have negative environmental impacts." -- WVUE TV

That sums its up! A MASSIVE PROJECT in a RESIDENTIAL LOCATION !  

 

Port of New Orleans proposal ?an economic driver or a big problem?  -- WGNO TV

https://wgno.com/news/local/will-a-new-port-in-st-bernard-be-a-economic-driver-or-big-problem-for-the-parish/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-DLOtNq8gs

To paraphrase community perspective posted online:

 THE GOVERNOR COULD DO SOMETHING!! 

Historically, Louisiana has invested in projects which cost state citizens their health and quality of life. The Governor could stop formosa in st james, stop the grain elevator in wallace, and stop port of new orleans in st bernard. Gov JBE could reject site selections which destroy human habitats and suffocate existing commerce and tourism. Gov JBE could stop these ridiculous plastics for exports projects, invest in a more modern, more sustainable global shipping port location, and find a more appropriate grain export location. ALL 3 of these "economic developments" are ACTIVE ECONOMIC INJUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE AND a sad continuance of Louisiana's RACISM. The Governor could preserve the integrity of existing residential districts, protect human health, and stop the socioeconomic inequities, especially in low income communities and minority communities. The hypocrisy of Gov JBE is astonishing; one cannot claim a State Climate Initiative and then support massive projects which run counter to task force plans. Gov JBE could reject projects which contribute such large amounts to air pollution and which do not meet the state's climate initiatives, the state's air quality attainment plans, or the state's regional haze plans.  Gov JBE could uphold the state's coastal plan and in st bernard parish Gov JBE could preserve the over one thousand acres of forested wetlands which are part of the original Chitimacha territory. Gov JBE could reject projects which do not meet the State's goal to reduce emissions and provide for a healthy, more equitable economy. These 3 projects each run in exact opposite of such State goals. Gov JBE could prove he is pro-life beyond birth and protect our citizens, especially school children. Let's see if JBE is a puppet of the Corporatocracy or a man of his word!

Toxic Air Pollution in Port Facilities

 

"Lessons Learned" from the Houston Ship Channel should guide the State of Louisiana to build back better in the International Terminaling sector: to avoid mistakes, avoid adverse public health outcomes, and select the more protective, environmental options. 

Similar to Houton’s port facilities, pollution issues with the Port of New Orleans proposed project  in St Bernard Parish would be compounded by the surrounding cumulative air toxins from two oil refineries, a calciner, and other heavily industrialized plants, and “by lax enforcement of pollution regulations by state and federal agencies and lack of real zoning laws. Existing zoning laws allow industrial facilities to be located in proximity to homes”, directly resulting in residents, including elementary school children, breathing in toxic air pollutants. St Bernard Parish is clearly already a disproportionately burdened community.

One only needs to look at the Houston Ship Channel to know the air toxins from the Port of New Orleans proposed project are unmitigable and the devastating public health outcomes unavoidable. These pollution concerns can not be “addressed” or “taken care of” by claiming compliance with EPA regulations or even with use of any of the future new truck fuels and cargo moving equipment. Residents would still carry the disproportionate share of burdens, including shortened lifespans and other lifelong health outcomes. That is not – under any scenario – a reasonable balance.

The State of Louisiana has many other options available to modernize port facilities in a 'post Panamax' world. Louisiana should look towards the options in the International Terminaling sector that are more aligned with the future of global shipping and more protective of the human habitat. These options tend to be more economical as well.

https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/air-pollution-houston-ship-channel-ib.pdf

TOXIC AIR POLLUTION IN THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL: DISPARITIES SHOW URGENT NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE By Yukyan Lam, Ramya Sivasubramanian, and Marisa Guerrero (NRDC); Juan Parras and Ana Parras (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services)

Recommendations from this NRDC study included #3. Regulatory agencies at all levels should prioritize pollution monitoring and enforcement in disproportionately burdened communities.