Thank You to This Year’s Annual Dinner Sponsors!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

We are excited to announce Clean Air’s 9ª Annual Dinner Sponsorship Partners. We are grateful to have the support of so many incredible businesses and organizations. Together, we will ensure that Western New York continues to strive for healthy, just and equitable communities.

 

PREMIER SPONSOR

Eagle Hawk

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Collins & Collins Attorneys, LLC

GOLD SPONSORS

Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO

Roswell Park Cancer Institute – Tobacco Free Erie Niagara

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

David Feuerstein & Family

M&T Bank

Austin Air

Lipsitz & Ponterio, LLC – Attorneys at Law

Gallagher Printing, Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS

Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

Dolce Panepinto Attorneys at Law

Heart of the City Neighborhoods Incorporated

Allen Street Consulting

Geico

Roswell Park Department of Diversity

Coalition for Economic Justice

BRONZE SPONSORS

Buffalo Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Hip Gypsy

Western New York Council for Occupational Safety and Health

Kenmore Teacher’s Association, NYSUT, AFL-CIO

Block Club

Congressman Brian Higgins

Make Communities

Buffalo Teachers Federation, Inc.

Citizen Action of New York

Hover Networks

Teamsters Local No.264

Communications Workers of America Local 1122 AFL-CIO

University at Buffalo Department of English

Communications Workers of America Local 1168, AFL-CIO

Clean Air Board of Directors

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Towne Auto

Civil Service Employees Association Western Region 6

PUSH Green

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Consultants, Inc.

Kenmore Garden Club

Delta Sonic

Lexington Co-operative Market

Try-It Distributing

Anderson’s Frozen Custard



Congratulations to our 2018 Golden Gas Mask Award Winners!

The Golden Gas Mask Award honors people that have exemplified dedication and leadership in the fight for environmental health, justicia y equidad en el oeste de Nueva York. Estas personas son constructoras de movimientos que han dedicado innumerables horas de su tiempo a liderar nuestra región hacia un mañana mejor.. They have demonstrated a deep commitment to action on behalf of working class people and people of color, and have contributed to the development of powerful strategies to improve community health, the environment, and equity.

Mary Blue

Mary Blue resides in the Kensington neighborhood and has extensive ties to the Delavan Grider community. A friend introduced Ms. Blue to Clean Air in early 2017, and she has been a member of the American Axle Steering Committee ever since. Ms. Blue has been a valuable and tireless advocate for cleanup of American Axle, a site that has been leaking toxic PCBs and hazardous waste for over 20 años. Most of her family has lived near the site, including herself at one time, spurring her dedication to working with the community to find out what is going on with the site and demand action. As a member of the campaign, she has collected petition signatures, attended community meetings and steering committee meetings, made phone calls, y se reunió con tomadores de decisiones clave en el gobierno estatal. Ms. Blue is also a member of the Masten Block Club Coalition and the University District Block Club Coalition, where she has worked with teenagers, many of whom are grown up and still visit her. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo’s Nursing School. Ms. Blue is a proud grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. In her free time, she enjoys bowling and line dancing.

Maria Tisby

Maria Tisby is a resident of the Town of Tonawanda. She was introduced to Clean Air Coalition in 2013, and has been a member ever since. Maria is a leader on Clean Air’s Tonawanda Tomorrow and Huntley Just Transition Campaign Teams. Through the opportunity to be involved in this work, she has led community actions that supported Clean Air’s various campaigns. Maria views justice as a critical element of public health and safety issues. That’s why she’s dedicated to working with Clean Air as they successfully fight for health, justice, and equity across the Western New York region.
Maria believes that one of the most important things a person can do is utilize the skills they have to be an advocate for other people. She spends much of her time educating herself about contemporaneous social justice issues that affect her neighbors, whether it’s housing, public funds, or quality of life.
Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from D’Youville College. She is a Parish Council Member and Lector at Saint Stanislaus Church in Buffalo, Nueva York. She also serves as a Lector at Saint Amelia Church in Tonawanda. In her free time, Maria enjoys swimming as well as bicycling on the Tonawanda bike trails.

Dellla Miller

Della Miller has extensive hands on experience working with various community development projects such as, establishing food cooperatives, directing regional educational programs, and operating, consulting and managing commercial kitchens. After retiring, Ms. Della became involved in many exciting new avenues of work. She applied for and was accepted in 2014 & 2015 as a Champion of Change with One Region Forward and the UB School of Architecture and Planning. After attending their Citizen Planning School, she was inspired to find a way to share this beneficial information with others. En 2016, she was introduced to Participatory Budgeting (PB) and Clean Air Coalition, when she participated in the PB process as a community resident. The experience was so powerful, al año siguiente se unió al equipo de campaña de PB de Clean Air y se involucró en todos los aspectos del proceso de planificación de PB. Ms. Della is a dedicated and active member in PB and is committed to promoting and educating citizens. She believes PB is a positive way for community residents to improve the quality of their neighborhoods and city. Ms. Della volunteers with several projects: St. John United Credit Union and community entrepreneurship and food service operations. Ms. Della is a graduate of Empire State College.

 

Join us to celebrate these fierce leaders at our Annual Dinner on May 3rd! Consigue tus entradas aquí.



Reserva! 9th Cena Anual 3 de mayo!

 

Nominations Open for the 2018 Entrega anual!

Cada año nuestra organización reconoce el trabajo de nuestros miembros y partidarios a nuestra Cena Anual. Nuestro trabajo se basa en el principio de que nadie puede lograr cualquier cosa sola. Trabajamos con mucha gente en muchos barrios que merecen el reconocimiento. A quién debemos brillar la luz en este año? Hacer que su candidatura hoy!



Plan estratégico (Casi) Terminado!

Después de más de un año de discusiones., lecturas, y debatimos que finalmente nos estamos acercando a terminar nuestro Plan Estratégico de 5 años para presentarlo ante nuestra Junta Directiva. Nuestro borrador del plan fue creado a través de:

  • numerosas discusiones y evaluaciones de nuestro comité de planificación estratégica,
  • una encuesta de membresía para evaluar las fortalezas de la organización, bordes en crecimiento, y potencial 5 year goals,
  • interviews with staff, miembros, current and past board members to learn what people have been thinking about the direction of the organization, current challenges and strengths of both our front line work and work behind the scenes,
  • interviews with a number of local organizations who share some similar aims and desired outcomes,
  • 2 strategic planning retreats with campaign leaders, staff and board members about how to answer some of the key questions that have surfaced, and how we can ensure that the organization is living up to its values,
  • Hours of conversation between the staff and board executive committee to wordsmith and revise our draft planning document.

And now we are almost finished!

Before we get there, sin embargo, we’d like to open another opportunity for members to come together and offer some insight prior to finalizing our plan. We will be hosting a conference call on lunes, March 19th from 5:30-6:30pm to discuss how the direction of our strategic plan aligns with member’s vision of the organization and the work that needs to happen to achieve a world where our environment promotes health and equity and where systems place communities at the forefront of decision making.

To RSVP to this call, email Rebecca@cacwny.org with the subjectStrategic Plan RSVPby March 16th to receive the call in information. If you RSVP and are a member in good-standing, you’ll be sent a CONFIDENTIAL draft of the Strategic Plan to review before the call so that you can join with thoughtful responses. You are also welcome to call to RSVP at 716-852-3813 (ask for Rebecca).

SUGGESTED READINGS TO GET THINKING LONG TERM….

(The following readings may help shape thinking on how Clean Air can move forward in the long term)

Una breve historia de la justicia ambiental (video)

Demand Everything: Lessons of the Transformative Organizing Model

Transformative Organizing: Towards Liberation of Self and Society

 



Hacia la democracia energética – Taller 22 de febrero!

Desde el acceso a la energía y la energía solar comunitaria hasta los derechos de los trabajadores, personas en todo el mundo están recuperando el poder sobre el sector energético, reimaginar cómo se puede producir energía, distribuido y usado. Únase a nosotros para aprender de los líderes de todo el estado sobre los enfoques para hacer que nuestro sistema energético sea renovable, equitativo, responsable y local.

Estas dos horas, El taller interactivo cubrirá los conceptos básicos del sistema energético tradicional., quién se ha beneficiado de nuestro sistema y quién ha sido perjudicado, una introducción a la energía solar comunitaria y una descripción general sobre el terreno, ejemplos del mundo real de cómo las comunidades han cambiado los proyectos renovables para que sean más equitativos y democráticos.

Jueves, 22 de febrero de 18 a 20 h

El puesto de Brounshidle de la Legión Americana

3354 Delaware Ave.. in Kenmore
Se proporcionarán refrigerios ligeros..

 

Entrenadores incluyen:

Adam Flint actualmente sirve como Nivel Sur (Nueva York) Gerente del Programa de Obras Solares para la Coalición Regional de Sustentabilidad de Binghamton, que cofundó en 2008. Desde 2011-2013 dirigió el Programa de Liderazgo Energético en la Extensión Cooperativa de Cornell del condado de Broome, donde Adam también coordinó el esfuerzo de Alcance Green New York Regional de Empleos Verdes del Nivel Sur que lideró al estado en auditorías y modernizaciones de viviendas. Ha trabajado como educador en el Nivel Sur durante más de veinte años., incluyendo más de una década en educación superior, sirviendo en la facultad como profesor asistente de sociología en Hartwick College y como profesor de estudios ambientales en la Universidad de Binghamton. Adam es miembro fundador de NY Energy Democracy Alliance, actualmente sirviendo en el comité directivo. Trabaja en la política energética del estado de Nueva York., particularmente en relación con la "Reforma de la visión energética (RDO)"Y procedimientos relacionados, y coordina COSHARE, el Grupo de energías renovables compartidas de propiedad comunitaria en nombre de la Alianza. También es miembro fundador de Tier Energy Network of the Southern Tier.
Shiva Prakash es miembro de Equal Justice Works patrocinado por Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld en New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) donde su trabajo se centra en abordar las barreras legales a la energía renovable de propiedad comunitaria y otras campañas orientadas a la justicia climática y la democracia energética en la ciudad y el estado de Nueva York. Antes de unirse a NYLPI, Shiva completó pasantías legales en el Consejo de Defensa de los Recursos Naturales, Oficina del Fiscal General del Estado de Nueva York, Fundación para la Ley de Conservación, y una pasantía judicial con el Honorable Juez Thompson en los EE. UU.. Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Circuito. Antes de su carrera legal, Shiva trabajó en New Ecology Inc., una organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Boston, donde fue gerente de proyectos en proyectos de vivienda pública y asequible que incorporan eficiencia energética, sistemas de energia renovable, y otros aspectos del diseño ambientalmente sostenible y socialmente consciente. Shiva recibió su J.D. de la Facultad de Derecho de la Northeastern University, donde fue becaria de derecho de interés público, un Máster en Urbanismo (MCP) especializada en Vivienda, Comunidad, y desarrollo económico del Instituto de Tecnología de Massachusetts (CON), y un B.S. en Economía también del MIT.

 

Kelly Roache actualmente trabaja como Gerente Senior de Programas, Solsticio. Kelly tiene años de experiencia trabajando como organizadora y defensora de la justicia social y los derechos humanos en los EE. UU.. y en el extranjero. Anteriormente con el Departamento de Estado de EE. UU., ayudó a lograr una evacuación humanitaria en Siria, impulsó la relación bilateral entre Estados Unidos e India, y dirigió una revisión a nivel de embajador y una revisión de las metas y objetivos de EE. UU.. Embajada de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos. Kelly encabezó una campaña para despojar de la dotación de la Universidad de Princeton a corporaciones cómplices de violaciones de derechos humanos en el Medio Oriente., que ganó el apoyo mayoritario entre el cuerpo estudiantil. También se ha organizado por los derechos LGBTQ + en Nueva Jersey durante más de una década.. En el solsticio, Kelly aprovecha esta misma pasión por la equidad para expandir el acceso y la asequibilidad a la energía solar de la comunidad., en particular a las comunidades de bajos ingresos y de justicia ambiental. También forma parte del Comité Directivo y preside el Grupo de Trabajo de Política e Interseccionalidad y del NY Energy Democracy Alliance. Kelly es cofundadora de Simbiosis, una confederación de grupos de base que construyen una democracia directa, sociedad ecológica desde cero. También forma parte de la junta directiva de Solstice.. Kelly obtuvo su BA cum laude y un AMP, ambos de la Universidad de Princeton.



Reunión Anual de Aire Limpio Sábado, 3 de febrero

Que año ha estado en Clean Air! Nuestra organización ha tenido un tremendo impacto en nuestras comunidades y, más probable, justo en tu propio vecindario. Hemos obtenido un compromiso del DEC para comenzar a limpiar el antiguo sitio de American Axle en East Delavan, que ha estado filtrando PCB por más de 20 años. We engaged with 1,000 residents and workers to create Tonawanda Tomorrow, a comprehensive economic development plan to rebuild Tonawanda’s economy following the Huntley coal plant closure. And we facilitated a second round of participatory budgeting in Buffalo’s Niagara District. These are just a few among many highlights.

Ahora, it’s time to celebrate another year of exciting victories and developments at Clean Air. Sin la inversión y el trabajo de los miembros - y la creencia en el poder y la posibilidad de organizar nuestras comunidades - ninguno de nuestro trabajo en 2017 podría haber sido posible.

Join us at our Annual Meeting to celebrate these successes and prepare for another year of smart, la organización de base. Our membership and partners from across the region will come together to learn from each other, and share their successes and challenges from the past year. Nuestra reunión está abierta a cualquier persona que desee asistir, however only members are able to vote on this year’s incoming board of directors. If you wish to become a member, or renew your membershipdo so online today o call our office at 716-852-3813.

The member meeting is scheduled for Saturday, 3 de febrero, 2018 from 11am to 1:30 p.m at the Buffalo Employment and Training Center, UB Gateway Room – 77 Goodell St. en búfalo. Light refreshments will be served. Childcare is available by request (Llame a Rebecca 716-862-3813 by January 22Dakota del Norte to request).

CLEAN AIR 2018 BOARD CANDIDATES SLATE

Todos los miembros de la junta sirven 3 términos del año. miembros de la junta cumplen las siguientes responsabilidades:

  • Proporcionar orientación y asistencia en la implementación de las metas y objetivos estratégicos de la organización
  • Para recaudar fondos y construir la capacidad de organización
  • Para evaluar el Director Ejecutivo
  • To participate actively on at least one board committee; events, personnel, finance or sustainability y asistir a eventos de organización y reuniones de los miembros como poder

Los candidatos nueva junta (los siguientes candidatos de mesa están para su primer período de tres años)

Andre Mayes Andre is a lifelong resident of the City of Buffalo. Andre was born on the east side, raised in Allentown and currently resides on the west side with his wife Sara. Andre is eager to learn more about grassroots organizing, recaudación de fondos, and how he can apply his skills and passion to build power in his community. An avid musician, he is the lead singer of the band Electric Salmon. He currently works as a Sheet Metal CAD Designer for JW Danforth and is a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 71.

nick caña Nick has been a member of Clean Air since 2015. Nick has played an active role working for a Just Transition in Tonawanda in the wake of the Huntley coal plant closure, and has supported members organizing in Seneca Babcock for the enforcement of Battaglia Recycling. An active member of the Labor movement for 11 años, Nick has a background in health, safety and chemistry and wants to bring his expertise to affect positive changes in the communities that both he and our membership live and work. Nick formally worked at Honeywell as a Research Technician and currently works as Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at the Civil Service Employees Union (CSEA). Nick is a resident of Grand Island where he lives with his wife and two children.

Volviendo candidatos a la Junta (los siguientes candidatos de mesa son para un segundo período de tres años)

Lindsday Amico Lindsay Amico grew up in the City of Tonawanda and now lives in Buffalo, Nueva York. She’s been involved with Clean Air since 2010, originally working on campaigns such as Tonawanda Coke and the Participatory Budgeting (PB) process for the Tonawanda Coke criminal fines in 2014. Lindsay has served as the Vice President of the board for the last two years and headed up our Buffalo Brunch Fundraiser this past fall. Lindsay graduated from Northeastern University with a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science. She is passionate about environmental justice and social equity and strives to create change locally. She currently works as a Youth Coordinator at Tobacco-Free Erie Niagara at Roswell Park Cancer Institute where she organizes youth to fight big tobacco and prevents young people from starting to smoke. She’s also a life and wellness coach and loves to read and practice yoga.

Thomas Roulley Thomas Roulley has been on the Board of Directors at Clean Air for the past three years, served as board Treasurer for the past two, and is current chair of Sustainability Fund Committee. An active member of Communication Workers of America (CWA), he serves as the Political and Legislative Committee Chairman for Local 1122 and the Treasurer and Political and Legislative Committee Chairman for the Western New York CWA Council where he coordinates CWA’s Western New York endorsements and the E.J. Mays Scholarship Fund. Tom also acts as Treasurer and Niagara County area Chair for the Western New York chapter of the Working Families Party, which fights for progressive legislation and policies across New York State. He is on the board of the George J. Woloszyn Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Tom was born and raised in Niagara Falls and now lives in Lewiston.

Catherine Zweig Cathy has been a supporter of Clean Air since 2013, and a board member for the past three years. Cathy grew up in a family with autoimmune disorders and asthma and has been concerned about the impact of pollution on human health and the environment for a long time. Cathy currently works as a social worker providing therapy to people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other anxiety problems at the Erie County Medical Center’s outpatient behavioral health program on Main Street in Buffalo. She has a Masters of Arts in psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW-R). Experienced in board governance, she is a former board member of the Prochoice Network, Mercy Hall, Pick of the Crop Dance, and the Aurora Waldorf School. Cathy is the mom of three children and is honored to be a part of Clean Air.

 



City of Buffalo Proposal Day!

The City of Buffalo is hosting it’s first ever Budget Proposal Day where residents are invited to speak on their proposals for the $500 Million Dollar City Budget! This is the first time in city history where the public has been invited to influence the budget before it’s created!
Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, and bring your proposal on how the City of Buffalo should be spending our $500 Million Dollar budget.
The open hearing will take place Martes, Enero 16 desde 5:30 a 7:30 PM at City Hall (65 Niagara Sq.) in Council Chambers (13th Floor).
If you have questions or would like to know more about how the city spends our tax dollars call Brian at 716-852-3813


$25Familiares 25 Dias!!!

Eso es todo! Hoy lanzamos nuestros $ 25K en 25 Campaña Días!

El año pasado, Los miembros de Clean Air se unieron constantemente a través de líneas de diferencia para organizar nuestras comunidades y asegurarse de que estamos construyendo un mundo que todas quiero vivir en. Nuestras campañas han tenido que afrontar políticas cambiantes, la amenaza de desmantelamiento de la EPA y otras agencias en las que confiamos para hacer cumplir las leyes, y mucho más. Y todavía, Seguimos obteniendo importantes victorias en materia de justicia ambiental y salud pública para nuestros vecindarios..

Dado este momento político, aquí hay algunas cosas de las que todos podemos estar orgullosos este año:

 

  • En Tonawanda, 1,000 residentes y trabajadores se unieron para crear Tonawanda mañana, un plan integral de desarrollo económico para reconstruir la economía de Tonawanda tras el cierre de la planta de carbón de Huntley. El plan establece una visión y pasos de acción para reconstruir y apuntalar la brecha de ingresos que dejó el retiro de la planta.. Nuestro trabajo sobre una transición energética justa fue presentado a nivel nacional por Molienda, Mother Jones y Bill Moyers – levantando las historias de nuestros miembros y socios en el trabajo organizado.

 

  • A pesar de que el Presupuesto Participativo no se incluyó en la 2017 presupuesto, nuestro comité directivo de PP adaptó y facilitó un segunda ronda de Presupuesto Participativo en el Distrito de Niágara de la ciudad. Este esfuerzo financió proyectos como actualizaciones tecnológicas y quitanieves para centros comunitarios.. Mas que 250 residentes participaron en este proceso. Desarrollando proyectos, reunirse con tomadores de decisiones, diseñar materiales de divulgación, hablando con la prensa, ejecutar sitios de votación, y votando, Decidieron directamente dónde se gasta una parte de los dólares de sus impuestos en sus vecindarios..

2017 fue un año histórico para nuestra comunidad y para nuestro país. Sin duda, quedará registrado como uno de los años más desafiantes de la historia reciente: el cambio de administración federal ha afectado a todos los vecindarios de diferentes maneras.. Estamos en un punto crítico. El clima político actual nos deja librando muchas batallas y enfrentando amenazas continuas que impactan directamente en nuestra capacidad para cuidar de nosotros mismos., nuestras familias, y nuestras comunidades. Clean Air cree que tenemos que seguir invirtiendo en comunidades controladas, Instituciones democráticas que fortalecen la capacidad de nuestro pueblo para el autogobierno.. Estamos dedicados a hacer esto llamando a las puertas de personas que no conocemos., reunirse uno a uno con extraños, y unir a la gente de la clase trabajadora para compartir problemas, Encontrar soluciones, y tomar medidas para exigir un cambio!



Ayúdanos a alcanzar esa meta de 25K, y da tan generosamente como puedas hoy!

Y si cree que necesitamos instituciones y una comunidad construida para durar y lista para responder a través de cambios y cambios políticos. hacer un compromiso mensual sostenido!

 

Gracias por tu vision, tu ilusión y tu generosidad!

Amor,

El equipo de aire limpio

Rebecca, Natasha & Brian



Viajes gratuitos a las urnas para los votantes este día de las elecciones!

Una asociación entre Clean Air, Poder comunitario para la salud y la justicia, y taxi libertad poder ayudar! En noviembre 7ª Liberty Cab Company proporcionará transporte gratuito a cualquier residente del condado de Erie desde y hacia su lugar de votación.. Este es el segundo año que Liberty Cab se asocia con nosotros para llevar a los votantes a las urnas.. El año pasado, Los teléfonos sonaron sin parar y los votantes solicitaron transporte casi cada dos minutos..

“Sabemos la importancia que tiene el acceso al transporte para participar en la democracia. El transporte siempre ha sido una segunda preocupación en todo lo que hacemos aquí en el Oeste de Nueva York.. Realmente debería ser parte del proceso de planificación.. Hay mucha gente, incluidas personas mayores, que quieren ejercer su derecho al voto.,” dijo Bill Yuhnke, de taxi libertad “No podemos permitir que la falta de transporte impida que la gente participe en este proceso.”

Pero hay más en este proyecto que simplemente ofrecer un viaje gratis.. Muchos de nuestros miembros se quejan de las grandes cantidades de dinero y de la corrupción de las grandes donaciones a los funcionarios electos.. El proyecto tiene como objetivo mejorar la participación electoral e involucrar a las comunidades para combatir la influencia indebida del dinero en nuestro sistema político..

Cuantos más obstáculos se pongan en el camino de la participación de los votantes, menos gente votará y responsabilizará a los funcionarios electos.. En Nueva York hemos visto esto en la forma de restringir la votación anticipada., y centros electorales inaccesibles. Con menos gente participando en el proceso político, los elegidos se vuelven más responsables ante sus donantes que ante sus electores. El proyecto Liberty Ride to Vote tiene como objetivo contrarrestar los efectos de las grandes cantidades de dinero en la política superando el obstáculo del transporte a las urnas..

Cada votante que se presenta disminuye la influencia de cada dólar gastado tratando de comprar una elección.. Las personas que elegimos toman decisiones todos los días que impactan nuestras vidas.. Las decisiones que tomen los electos deben basarse en las necesidades reales de las comunidades., no los deseos de las personas que quieren sacar provecho de las espaldas de los trabajadores, personas con discapacidad y sus familias. Una de las cosas que puede debilitar el control de las grandes cantidades de dinero es una avalancha de votantes..

Los residentes pueden aprovechar este servicio llamando a Liberty Cab al 716-877-7111, prensa 0, luego usa el código LibertyRide2Vote. Este servicio no está afiliado a ningún partido o campaña política.. Este servicio está disponible sólo para los residentes del condado de Erie en este momento.. Los residentes deben residir en el condado de Erie y tener un lugar de votación también dentro del condado de Erie para poder participar..

El martes, Las urnas del 7 de noviembre estarán abiertas de 6 am a 9 pm. Los residentes pueden encontrar su lugar de votación llamando a la Junta Electoral del Condado de Erie al 716-858-8891, o utilizando la herramienta de información electoral de Voting Information Projects en www.votinginfoproject.org.

 



Clean Air’s Response to the University at Buffalo’s Tonawanda Health Study

The following statement was written collaboratively by Tonawanda members, Clean Air board members and Clean Air staff. Members of the Clean Air Board of Directors are elected through an annual membership vote. Members of Clean Air live in neighborhoods in Western New York that are disproportionately impacted by pollution, and pay annual organizational dues, lead campaigns and organize for public health and environmental justice in their communities.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Clean Air was founded by residents living in the most industrialized neighborhood of New York State who suspected that their health problems were linked to the facilities in their neighborhood. They collected air samples that revealed high levels of carcinogenic chemicals in the ambient air. Through smart, strategic organizing, we were awarded a $1 million air study from New York State in 2007, which confirmed benzene levels were well over federal guideline concentrations, and that Tonawanda Coke Corporation was responsible for these high emissions.

Our members ran a direct action campaign against the company that resulted in a federal investigation. The verdict found Tonawanda Coke Corp. guilty in criminal court of breaking 14 leyes federales bajo la Ley de Aire Limpio y la Ley de Conservación y Recuperación de Recursos. Marcos Kamholz, el gerente de control ambiental, fue declarado culpable de los mismos cargos y un cargo adicional de obstrucción de la justicia. He was sentenced to a year in prison. La instalación, which is still in operation, was forced to change its process and comply with federal law. Hoy, total emissions of benzene, a known human carcinogen, have decreased in the surrounding community by 92%, while New York State’s air monitors continue to operate in the neighborhood.

One outcome of the court process was that the University at Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions was awarded $11 million from fines levied against the company to perform a health study entitled “The Tonawanda Health Study: An Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects and Coke Oven Emissions from Tonawanda Coke.” The stated aim is to explore the health impacts of benzene in Tonawanda, health impacts of residents’ lifestyle choices, health effects of Tonawanda Coke emissions, and potential health impacts on Tonawanda Coke employees.

The study will be conducted over a ten year time frame by taking blood samples of Tonawanda residents and conducting surveys. Over the last few years Clean Air staff, board and members have been approached by faculty members working on this study requesting participation and endorsement of the University at Buffalo’s study. We have chosen not to participate in or endorse the study for the following reasons:

  • Clean Air is committed to building real power in communities that have been cut out of decisions that impact their lives. Our organizing improves public health, quality of life, and builds equity. In determining our position on participation and endorsement of academic studies the Clean Air Coalition follows an academic research policy. The Clean Air Coalition academic research policy was created to set a standard by which we choose to engage in academic research. Our academic research policy was put in place to prevent us from engaging in academic studies that exploit residents and run contrary to our values. We will only engage in research that will enhance the capacity of residents to participate in the political process, bridge the gap between regulatory frameworks and community issues, impact policies, regulations and budgets, and transform decision makers. This study meets none of our required criteria for our participation.

 

  • The Clean Air Coalition is dedicated to bringing residents to the center of the political process. We operate under the conviction that the persons most entitled to decision making are those who are affected by their outcomes. As already stated, the design and intent of the study relegates residents to subjects for experimentation. Given the role of residents in the study, the study’s intent, design and expected findings will not and cannot enhance their capacity to participate in the broader political process affecting their lives. It simply subjugates them and relegates them to a role of blind subjects for errant experimentation. It is clear to us that this study will be conducted with neither the design or intent to improve the lives of residents in Tonawanda.

 

  • The study design proposes taking blood and urine samples on Tonawanda residents. These samples are to be analyzed for benzene metabolites. This is performed as a means of estimating ambient benzene air levels. The researchers will also collect population survey data. The study then proposes to compare benzene metabolite measurements against the population survey data. Following the comparison, the study then proposes to use these measurements to draw unspecified conclusions about the population.

 

  • The study presents glaring failures of adherence to scientific rigor and ethical practices. To begin, the sampling of blood and urine to assess ambient air benzene exposure in a population is inappropriate. Measurement of blood and urinary benzene metabolites fluctuate as high as a factor of 10 over an 8 hour period. This fluctuation is due to the high rate at which benzene metabolites break down in the human body. A consecuencia, blood and urine samples to assess ambient air benzene exposure is not only inaccurate; The existing body of scientific knowledge casts this method as inappropriate. We already know the ambient air levels of Benzene. Based on NYSDEC air monitoring data we know that Tonawanda has had elevated levels of benzene and other volatile organic compounds (COV) in the ambient air. We know not only the type of VOC, but also their concentration.

 

  • Vast research has been done on the negative health impacts of these chemicals, and is publicly available through the Department of Health, Agencia de Protección Ambiental, and many other sources. Sabemos, based on the New York Department of Health Outcomes Review (2009), which reviewed the occurrence of 18 different types of cancer in Tonawanda, that lung cancer, bladder cancer and total cancers were elevated among both males and females; esophageal cancer and oral cavity/pharynx was elevated among males; and uterine cancer and leukemia was elevated among females.

 

  • In the case of benzene, exposure from point sources such as Tonawanda Coke, the research is already clear on the impacts to resident health. There is no shortage of knowledge linking chronic and acute exposures of benzene to harmful impacts on human health. The intent of the University at Buffalo’s study is to use dubious methods to conclude that which is already known to regulators and communities.

 

  • The effects of benzene and the levels of benzene are known and have been known for a decade. Researchers are not needed to reconfirm again what the scientific community and the Tonawanda community already knows. What we need are enforceable policies that are based on equity and health. What we need is democratic decision making in how public money and resources are spent. What we need are agencies, elected officials and corporations that are accountable to people who are impacted by their decisions. This study does not even begin or attempt to address these issues.

Based upon the documents provided to us, written and verbal conversations with representatives from the University at Buffalo (Dept of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions), we find the study insufficient to allow our participation. The study is not simply insufficient, but also damaging to our vision and values as an organization. After a thorough review of the health study, consultation with members active in the Tonawanda Coke campaign, within Tonawanda, Nuestro equipo, and based on the values and process of Clean Air’s academic research policyClean Air’s Board of Directors has determined our organization will not participate in this study.

– Clean Air Board of Directors –