Celebrating 50 Years & the Party Crashers
How about some good news? For those of a certain vintage, you may remember the 1960’s and; 1970’s suffocating L.A. smog, the Buffalo River fires, “dead” Lake Dreary (Erie), acid rain and the depleted ozone layer. DDT and other chemical fiascos did their damage. Young’uns will have to Google this. Millions of people, both political […]
Over 50 organization’s call on New York Attorney General to Sue Trump Administration Over Dangerous Suspension of Environmental Enforcement
On March 26th, the USEPA released a policy that set new guidelines for companies to monitor themselves for an undetermined period of time during the outbreak. The memo goes on to state the EPA will not issue fines for violations of certain air, water and hazardous-waste-reporting requirements. The policy cites the decision as a response […]
Join Us Tuesday Night to Stop Cuts to EPA Enforcement
The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a dramatic relaxing of environmental rules, citing the decision as a response to the COVID pandemic. The agency will now allow power plants, factories and other facilities to determine for themselves if they are able to meet legal requirements on reporting air and water pollution. This announcement came on the […]
Stand Up to Trump’s Dangerous EPA Enforcement Cuts
Clean Air Coalition Calls on New York Attorney General to Stand Up to Trump’s Dangerous EPA Enforcement Cuts The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a dramatic relaxing of environmental rules, citing the decision as a response to the COVID pandemic. The agency will now allow power plants, factories and other facilities to determine for themselves […]
Clean Air’s Response to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic
March 19th, 2020 Dear Clean Air Members, From all of us in the Clean Air Coalition of WNY family, we hope that you and your families are doing well and staying safe during these very chaotic and troubling times. As we watch how this pandemic is affecting our brothers, sisters and siblings here in Western […]
The Unhumorous DEC (or “Are you kidding?”)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos have been in the news a lot regarding their role with the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) for Tonawanda Coke. In a Letter to the Editor, various media outlets, and a DEC sponsored interview video, they’ve pressed their case in support […]
Welcome Aboard Emily!
We are excited to announce a new addition to our team! Emily Terrana has joined us as our Leadership Development Director and Environmental Justice Organizer. A member of Clean Air since 2015, Emily has served in leadership roles throughout our organization, including as a member of the Tonawanda Coke Campaign Team. Emily brings with her over ten […]
$1 Million Dollar Community Benefit Fund Released from 2015 Tonawanda Coke Settlement
Over 10 years ago, Clean Air members came together knowing that their health problems were linked to the industrial pollution in their neighborhood. They banned together, tested the air, pounded the pavement, and began a campaign to hold Tonawanda Coke accountable. In 2013, a jury found the company guilty of violating the Clean Air Act […]
Governor Greenwashes Tonawanda Coke Clean Up; Ignores Resident’s Demands for Enforcement and Accountability
Friday afternoon, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) announced the approval of the Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus’s tax credit application for the Tonawanda Coke site. The announcement came after nearly a year of hundreds of calls, letters and petitions from the community to reject this public giveaway to manage the site’s legacy waste. There are two […]