Bill S2332 / A2212 is up for vote by the Assembly at the end of August 2020 and we’re hoping to have it passed by Labor Day. Essentially, this bill will stop facilities that are a major source of pollution from proliferating in over-burdened communities. The bill also includes a review of permit renewals and expansions for existing industries in these communities, which in turn will make them more environmentally responsible, if they want to continue operation.
Most importantly, it gives the NJ residents of these communities, which are primarily made up of black and brown people, a voice to say NO MORE! They’ve been shouldering the burden of these grossly negligent and poisonous facilities and industries for too long, which has resulted in an increase in serious health conditions in both children and adults. Finally(!) these citizens, who have suffered so deeply, will finally receive the relief they’re entitled to through this bill, because EVERYONE deserves clean air to breath and clean water to drink.
Key players:
Senator Troy Singleton and Senator Loretta Weinberg are prime co-sponsors of the bill.
Assemblyman John McKeon is the prime sponsor on the Assembly side.
You can take action:
www.bit.ly/stopenvironmentalracism Click on the website link, call your legislators, share with others on social media.
Key Takeaways:
- This is a historic moment in environmental justice, and this legislation will be a model for the rest of the country to also take action and find relief in their most vulnerable communities, too.
- Opposition (construction industry, etc) claims this bill will bring a cascade of job loss; however, Assemblyman McKeon predicts just the opposite will happen and new jobs will be created as companies deal with new regulations.
- 15 million people in the US live within one mile of a superfund site; NJ has 115 sites – more than any other state in the country
- There is a documentary that highlights the devastating effects of environmental injustice in NJ – https://thesacrificezone.org
