EJ Overburdened Communities Bill Held – The Fight Continues

Today, the Assembly failed to vote on A2212 (McKeon)/S232 (Singleton). The bill concerns environmental permits in burdened communities. It is even more disappointing that it was held because the funeral of civil rights leader John Lewis was today.

“Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet.” – John Lewis

The bill would require that a person who is seeking a permit for a new facility, or for the expansion of an existing facility, that is located in a burdened community meets certain additional requirements. The bill passed the Senate last week. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“We are very disappointed that this important bill didn’t come up for a vote in the Assembly today. The people living in overburdened and minority communities have been working tirelessly to get legislation like this passed for over 20 years. What makes this so disheartening is that this is the day we remember John Lewis and his fight for justice and against racism. This bill would help protect disadvantaged and minority communities that have been a dumping ground for facilities that no one wants. Most of our toxic sites, airports, incinerators, cement plants, and other major polluting facilities are located in low-income, minority, and overburdened communities.

“This bill is important because New Jersey is one of the most segregated states in the country. We have a history of discriminative housing patterns and highways deliberately segregating cities. That pattern of racial profiling continues when we put incinerators, power plants, and other polluting facilities in low-income, minority communities. We need this legislation to give these communities a voice when it comes to new polluting facilities in their neighborhoods. This is especially important because these communities are also disproportionately affected by the pandemic because there is a link between coronavirus risk and air pollution.”

“Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.” – John Lewis

Jeff Tittel continued: “For far too long, these communities have been choking on the fumes of unwanted facilities. This legislation would be one of the strongest environmental justice bills in the nation. It would protect low-income, minority, and overburdened communities from new facilities and some expansions to existing facilities. We need to keep fighting to get this bill on the Assembly board list before the pollution in these communities gets any worse. John Lewis almost died on Bloody Sunday marching for the Voting Rights Act, and a few years later he was there when the bill was signed into law. One thing that he taught us is that if you organize right and stand up for your principals, you will prevail. That is what we will do to make sure that these communities have access to clean air and clean water.”

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America” – John Lewis