The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69963

Marian Morris, MPHc and Daniel P. Perales, DrPH MPH. Department of Health Science, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192, 408-924-4695, dperales@attbi.com

In 1992, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) began as a grassroots organization, in San Jose, California, when its originators responded to underground water contamination from chemical tanks owned by the high-tech industry. Over the years, SVTC has increased community and industry awareness of environmental health issues through its numerous activities. The SVTC is particularly important, since Santa Clara County has more Superfund sites than any other county in the United States. In 2000, through a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grant, the SVTC created the Health and Environmental Justice (HEJ) Project to organize community members around the issue of environmental exposures and reduce toxics poisonings and other environmental hazards. In 2001, the dubious California “energy crisis”, with its accompanied 'rolling blackouts', produced dramatic increases in energy costs, and the general disruption of business and family life. The 'energy crisis' also led to immediate energy industry proposals before the San Jose City Council to build 14 'dirty' simple-cycle peaker power plants in low-income neighborhoods populated by people of color. The peaker power plants are known to release toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil. This presentation describes HEJ's role in organizing community members and neighborhood advocates to overcome challenges such as the San Jose's City Council's decision to reduce time for public comments, industry efforts to intimidate advocates, and the loosening of state laws to allow for dirty power plants. The environmental justice community organizing lessons learned during this yearlong battle are also described.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• List three environmental health issues associated with peaker power plants.
• Recognize the California energy policies and political processes that endanger the environment and therefore the health of people in low-income communities.
• Describe three lessons learned about community organizing for environmental justice in low-income neighborhoods populated by people of color.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Community Involvement

Related Web page: www.svtc.org/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Evaluation Associate