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Environmental Health Coalition

Angelica Estrada

What’s Really Going On With The Weighted Vote?

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Weighted voting makes sure all communities are fairly represented.

EV bus driving under Barrio Logan sign.

What is weighted voting?

Weighted voting makes sure the needs of all communities are fairly represented. It is when each member’s vote is weighted to reflect the size of the population they represent. For example, since the City of San Diego has 1.3 million people its vote counts more than the City of Del Mar whose population is less than 4,000. If Del Mar’s vote counted the same as San Diego’s one of its residents would have about 350 times the voting power of a San Diego resident (more on this below). That is not fair.

How does the weighted vote works at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)?

SANDAG uses both tally votes (one vote per member) and weighted votes. When SANDAG takes a weighted vote, it is out of a total of 100 votes that are given out to the board members based on the size of the community they represent. When the votes of all the members are counted, they should equal 100*. For example, City of San Diego gets 42 and Chula Vista gets 8.

Each voting member gets at least one vote even if their community is less than 1% of San Diego County’s population. For instance, Del Mar gets one vote, even though it is only 0.12% of the entire county. That means it is currently getting more than their fair share of voting power – about eight times its population size in voting power.

*there are some exceptions see San Diego Association of Governments Bylaws, page 6, subdivision (H)

Weighted voting is fair, so why are some cities against it?

Some smaller and mostly wealthier cities on the SANDAG board don’t like the weighted vote because they think their residents matter more than residents in other cities. The cities that are against the weighted vote are Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee and Vista.

Before the weighted vote.

In 2017, Governor Newsom signed AB 805 into law. It reformed San Diego’s transportation agencies including SANDAG to ensure fair representation of all San Diego’s communities. Prior to 2017,the voting structure of SANDAG gave more influence to smaller and affluent cities like Del Mar, which led to the neglect of transit-dependent communities and they were further impacted by pollution and continuous lack of accessible transportation.

How has the weighted vote helped San Diego communities?

The weighted vote ensures San Diego’s transit communities are fairly represented, and helped shift SANDAG’s focus to prioritize improving public transit for all San Diegans.

Victory!! Community Protests End Mega Polluting Cement Warehouse Scheme

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EHC and community activists win the fight against Mitsubishi Cement Corporation’s (MCC) proposed mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego. The massive distribution center could have doubled lung-damaging diesel truck traffic in Barrio Logan and West National City

SAN DIEGO, CA, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – In response to years of opposition from Barrio Logan and National City residents, community organizations, and environmental groups, the Port of San Diego announced today that negotiations with MCC have stalled in it’s bid to construct and operate a mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Ave. Terminal in Barrio Logan.

This massive industrial operation would have imported cement materials and up to 10,500 diesel-polluting lung-damaging truck tripspast homes, schools, and parks in Barrio Logan and West National City. Diesel pollution is known to cause cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases.

“This would never have been proposed in a community like Coronado, so why do Logan and National City have to continually fight for the right to breathe clean air?” asked Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan Policy Advocate, Environmental Health Coalition. “The reason is environmental racism. Today, we celebrate our victory but also send a clear message to decision-makers: do not allow proposals like MCC to come forward again. The community is clear – no more diesel death.”

The Board of Port Commissioners rejected the same proposal from MCC in 2020. They gave MCC a strong and clear directive to develop measurable zero-emission (ZEV) truck requirements for the project. In those two years, MCC failed to present any plans for ZEV trucks.

“Mitsubishi disrespected the community by refusing to come forward with any plans to use zero emission trucks,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder of the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC). “They also underestimated the strength, commitment and persistence of residents who pushed back hard – refusing to allow more deadly pollution in our communities,” she continued. “EHC is hopeful that the Port and other potential tenants are mindful of their promise to be a good neighbor and we look forward to working with the Port to recruit responsible industries.”

Barrio Logan and West National City, low-income communities of color, breathe more diesel pollution than 90% of the state. MCC’s warehouse, which would distribute 600,000 metric tons of cement materials a year- 35% of MCC’s total production – would be locatedwithin a mile of Cesar Chavez Park and Perkins Elementary School. Children in these communities already have double the overall county’s asthma hospitalization rate.

“Our children and families deserve clean air, good health and a decent place to live,” said Maritza Garcia, a second-generation Logan Heights resident. “The MCC proposal would have created more deadly pollution, more asthma, and more cancer risk. We said NO and we won!”

More than 800 community members emailed or wrote letters to the Port Commissioners calling on them to reject MCC’s proposed cement warehouse. A coalition of community activists, environmental justice advocates, educators, and faith leaders rallied and protested at the Port building in December and more than 30 testified in opposition to the proposal.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit www.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

We Won’t Allow Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC) to Poison Our Lungs

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On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, we made our voices heard! Community activists, residents, faith leaders, doctors, and educators rallied at the Port of San Diego’s Administrative Building. We made it loud and clear we won’t allow Mitsubishi Cement Corporation to poison our lungs by adding up to 10,500 deadly diesel-polluting truck trips past our homes, schools, and parks.

Watch the rally here!

After the rally we packed the Port’s hearing room. More than 30 people provided public testimony against MCC’s proposed project. In the week’s leading up to the rally Port Commissioners received close to 300 emails in opposition to the project, and our partners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church gathered around 500 letters in opposition.

We showed up strong and made an impact. Still, MCC is not giving up and neither are we. MCC has NO plan to transition to pollution-free heavy-duty trucks – despite the Port asking them to make one two years ago. They have made little to no effort to engage the community in the five years they’ve been developing this project. MCC does NOT care about our community, our schools, our parks, our health, or our children.

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to raise our voices to defeat MCC. We kept them out in 2020, we kept them out in 2022, and we will continue to do so in 2023!

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EHC’s Incoming Executive Director

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Welcome EHC’s Incoming Executive Director, José Franco Garcia

Versión en español a continuación

Franco Garcia

We are thrilled to announce that José Franco Garcia – Franco – has been selected as EHC’s new Executive Director. 

“Franco is uniquely qualified to step into this important role as an experienced organizer and advocate who has worked with EHC for over 12 years. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our communities and environmental justice throughout his time with EHC,” said Margaret Godshalk, EHC’s Board President.   

Franco is currently EHC’s Policy Director and previously served as the organization’s Organizing Director.  He has led countless campaigns in all of EHC’s core communities – City Heights, Barrio Logan, National City, and Colonia Chilpancingo, Tijuana in addition to developing and directing EHC’s civic engagement campaigns.  Before joining EHC in 2012, Franco worked with Coalition of Neighborhood Councils and the United Domestic Workers of America.

“I am honored and grateful for this opportunity. The environmental justice legacy that Diane Takvorian and others began over 40 years ago built a movement that continues to grow and win. I am excited about our EHC team and look forward to our continued victories toward the EJ future that all communities deserve.”

EHC has a long history of, and a well-deserved reputation for, developing and nurturing environmental and social justice activists. Franco’s selection certainly reinforces those values and demonstrates EHC’s commitment to leadership development.

Franco will assume the position in February 2023 from co-founder and current Executive Director Diane Takvorian. She will continue to work with EHC as a strategic advisor.

EHC is grateful for the enormous support we have received over the past 42 years from our members, allied organizations, elected representatives, and funders.  We are proud of the change that we have created together in the pursuit of environmental, racial, and social justice.  We know that you will all continue to support EHC’s critical work as we navigate this transition together.  We are looking forward to EHC flourishing and achieving even more in the next 40 years.

ayúdanos a dar la Bienvenida al próximo Director Ejecutivo de EHC, José Franco García

Estamos estamos muy emocionados de anunciar que José Franco García (Franco) ha sido seleccionado como el nuevo Director Ejecutivo de EHC.

“Franco está excepcionalmente calificado para asumir este importante papel, como organizador y abogador experimentado que ha trabajado con EHC más de 12 años. A lo largo de su tiempo en EHC ha demostrado constantemente su compromiso con nuestras comunidades y con la justicia ambiental”, dijo Margaret Godshalk, presidenta de la mesa directiva de EHC.

Actualmente, Franco es Director de Políticas de EHC y anteriormente fue el director de organizar. Ha dirigido innumerables campañas en las comunidades principales de EHC: City Heights, Barrio Logan, National City y Colonia Chilpancingo en Tijuana, además de desarrollar y dirigir la campaña de participación cívica de EHC. Antes de unirse a EHC en 2010, Franco trabajó con Coalition of Neighborhood Councils y United Domestic Workers of America.

“Me siento honrado y agradecido con esta oportunidad. El legado de justicia ambiental que Diane Takvorian y otras comenzaron hace más de 40 años creó un movimiento que continúa creciendo y ganando. Estoy entusiasmado con nuestro equipo de EHC y espero con ansias continuar nuestras continuas victorias por la justicia ambiental que todas las comunidades merecen”.

EHC tiene una larga historia, y una bien merecida reputación, por desarrollar y alentar a activistas ambientales y de justicia social. La selección de Franco es evidencia de esos valores y demuestra el compromiso de EHC al desarrollo del liderazgo.

Franco recibirá el cargo en febrero de 2023 de la cofundadora y directora ejecutiva actual, Diane Takvorian. Diane continuará trabajando con EHC como consejera estratégica. EHC agradece el enorme apoyo que hemos recibido durante los últimos 42 años de nuestros miembros, nuestros aliados, representantes elegidos y financiadores. Estamos orgullosos del cambio que hemos creado juntos en la lucha por la justicia ambiental, racial y social. Sabemos que todos ustedes continuarán apoyando el trabajo fundamental de EHC mientras navegamos juntos por esta transición. Esperamos que EHC se florezca y logre aún más en los próximos 40 años.

Environmental Health Coalition’s Responds to the Air District Hearing Board’s decision on New Leaf Biofuel.

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Barrio Logan – On October 27, 2022, Environmental Health Coalition issued the following statement in response to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Hearing Boards decision to grant New Leaf Biofuel a Stipulated Amendment Order that allows them until December 9, 2022 to install an air odor control system.

“Barrio Logan residents are asked once again to wait for clean air. EHC is disappointed with the SDAPCD Hearing Board’s decision to allow New Leaf to continue polluting the neighborhood with its putrid smell. While residents suffer nausea, headaches, and sore throats, New Leaf will continue to profit. SDAPCD must enforce the abatement order. After a year of waiting for relief, Barrio Logan residents will not tolerate any further extensions.“

Barrio Logan Activists Demand a Stop to New Leaf Biofuel’s Putrid Smell

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

Barrio Logan Activists Demand a Stop to New Leaf Biofuel’s Putrid Smell

Community residents petition the San Diego Air Pollution Control District’s (SDAPCD) Hearing Board to order New Leaf Biofuel to pause operations until it can stop the terrible smell making people sick.

WHAT:

On October 27, 2022 the SDAPCD Hearing Board will consider the SDAPCD staff’s recommendation to approve a Stipulated Abatement Order to New Leaf Biofuel to address the terrible smell coming from the facility that is making residents sick. If approved as recommended, the Order would allow New Leaf until December 9 to resolve the issue with installation of an odor control system. 

Environmental Health Coalition and community residents are demanding that the SDAPCD require New Leaf to pause their operation until the noxious odor is controlled. New Leaf has had almost a year to fix the stench with no result. Residents’ health should not be further impacted while New Leaf profits. EHC will present over 180 petition signatures demanding an end to the odor.

WHEN:

Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 9 AM

WHERE:

To join virtually, click https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83424596669

WHY:

In addition to breathing some of the most diesel-polluted air in the state, New Leaf Biofuel’s neighbors have endured its sickening smell for years. Their neighbors report that the odor causes headaches, nausea, and irritation in their throats and eyes. In addition, they also report that the smell prevents them from spending time outside, opening their windows during heatwaves, and having guests over.

New Leaf processes millions of gallons of used cooking oil to produce biodiesel. This process creates the noxious smell. Chemicals and raw products used in the biodiesel making process can be extremely dangerous to people’s respiratory health. Within a few hundred feet of the facility, there are dozens of single-family homes, businesses, senior apartments, and a pre-school/daycare. Children in this neighborhood have more than double the rate of asthma emergency room visits than San Diego County as a whole.

Since November 2021, SDAPCD has received 21 resident complaints related to odor at New Leaf. This averages to about one official complaint every two weeks. During that time, SDAPCD conducted over 47 inspections issued three Notices of Violation related to the smell. New Leaf received the first Notice over 10 months ago in December of 2021. It wasn’t until 6 months later that New Leaf submitted a permit application with SDAPCD to install an odor control system. They have since requested 2 extensions delaying the installation of the system. During those 10 months, while New Leaf profited, residents continued to suffer from the toxic smell.

QUOTES

“New Leaf has been able to expand and profit, while residents continue to suffer, getting headaches and experiencing nausea as a result of the odor,” said Nicholas Paúl, Air Quality Advocate, Environmental Health Coalition. “Residents cannot relax outside, take walks, or use public spaces – children aren’t playing outside because of the smell.”

“New Leaf has had more than 10 months to find a way to stop the putrid smell that is making Barrio Logan residents sick,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “The community has suffered enough and is calling on the SDAPCD Hearing Board to order New Leaf to pause operations until they install an odor control system.”

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

If you are interested in speaking with EHC’s policy expert, Nicholas Paúl, or an affected Barrio Logan resident to learn about their experience please contact Angelica Estrada. Her information is below.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angelica Estrada

Communications Director, Environmental Health Coalition

562-708-3093

Angelicae@environmentalhealth.org