Environmental Justice
On this page you will find statements and observations from residents on environmental injustices in Curtis Bay. This page is designed to assist fellow residents as well as our state and local officials in gaining insight into the experience on the ground with exposures to nuisances, toxics and hazards. Our hope is that this information will be used to effect change.
WE NEED
- Stronger standards that protect our health, worker safety and our shared environment
- Relief funds to mitigate the costs of hosting toxic waste infrastructure for decades
- A “Just Transition for Zero Waste Fund” to develop new community-owned compost, recycling, deconstruction and reuse infrastructure to end reliance on toxic waste infrastructure
- Protections for sanitation workers as we transition from outdated technologies to current approaches
- End subsidies for the incinerators and landfills we are transitioning away from
- Build and strengthen local end markets for compost and recycled commodities
Background
Curtis Bay is an environmental justice community with over 70 facilities handling hazardous and toxic materials in close proximity to our homes, schools, businesses and parks. While many of these businesses have the potential to be strong community partners in development without displacement, the reality is that many are actively violating Federal EPA standards. Together, the concentration of facilities creates a cumulative impact that reduces our chances of living long healthy lives. We have a 100+ year history of explosions, leaks and spills that have already displaced our 3 neighboring communities of Fairfield, Wagner’s and Hawkin’s Point. We are taking a stand to ensure that we build the new mechanisms needed to have a safe, stable and livable community with good jobs doing socially and environmentally sustainable work.
CSX Coal Terminal Explosion and ongoing Coal Dust
This set of videos feature community members describing the decades long issue of coal dust from the CSX coal terminal entering found on homes, cars, kids pools and in the air we breathe — as well as the recent explosion at the coal facility that sent thousands of pounds of dust into Curtis Bay and remains unexplained.
