TagEnvironmental Justice(114)
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2023-12-01Improving air quality in overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution: 2023 report
This 2023 report from the Washington State Department of Ecology focuses on improving air quality in overburdened communities that are highly impacted by air pollution across Washington State. It outlines regional office contacts, accessibility services, and language assistance resources available to affected residents. Note: This document does not specifically address Sea-Tac Airport noise policy and may not be directly relevant to airport noise concerns. -
2023-10-24Property Tax Levy 2023 (and a few words about sex trafficking)
Commissioners, It’s with an increasingly heavy heart we take in your discussion of the Property Tax Levy every year now. Despite your claims to be the most progressive commission ever, the tax levy is evidence that your relationship with the cities under the flight path, especially fence line communities, is steadily becoming less equitable with -
2023-10-012023-25 Biennium Climate Commitment Act Investments to Benefit Overburdened Communities and Tribes
Washington State's Climate Commitment Act invested over $2.1 billion in the 2023-25 budget cycle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated $924 million (43%) directed to overburdened communities and $155 million (7.3%) specifically benefiting Tribes. Key investments include rebates for energy-efficient home equipment, weatherization assistance for low-income households, transit grants, bike and pedestrian safety improvements, and air quality programs in heavily polluted communities. An additional $142 million was directed to salmon restoration projects important to Tribal culture and treaty rights. -
2023-10-01
2023-25 Biennium Climate Commitment Act Investments to Benefit Overburdened Communities and Tribes
Office of Financial Management (OFM) October 2023 report estimating 2023-25 biennium Climate Commitment Act (CCA) investments directed to overburdened communities and Tribes across Washington State operating, capital, and transportation budgets. Of $2.1 billion total CCA revenue invested, nearly $924 million (43%) directed to overburdened communities, and $155 million (7.3%) specifically to Tribes, with an additional -
2023-10-01Seattle-Beacon Hill Station: Focus on Air Monitoring
Washington State's Department of Ecology has operated the Seattle-Beacon Hill Air Monitoring Station since 1979, tracking pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, fine particles, and air toxics to ensure compliance with national air quality standards. Over four decades of data show significant air quality improvements, including a 60% decline in nitrogen dioxide and a 40% reduction in fine particle concentrations, largely due to stricter emissions regulations. The station also supports ongoing research and community efforts to address air pollution disparities in overburdened neighborhoods of South Seattle. -
350 Seattle Infographic on Aviation Emissions and Sea-Tac Airport Environmental Justice
An infographic published by 350 Seattle detailing aviation's environmental impact, including projected emissions growth to +1200% by 2050, environmental justice concerns around Sea-Tac Airport, and the claim that commercial aviation produced 918 million metric tons of CO2 in 2018. The infographic includes a map showing the 3km and 10km pollution radius around Sea-Tac Airport and calls for a reduction in aviation to meet climate goals. -
2023-08-15City of Los Angeles RFI Response: Advanced Air Mobility, Docket No. DOT-OST-2023-0079
City of Los Angeles response to USDOT Request for Information (RFI) on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Docket No. DOT-OST-2023-0079, submitted August 15, 2023, signed under Mayor Karen Bass. Covers local government role in AAM deployment, OEM data transparency, FAA and NASA Interagency Working Group (IWG) community subgroup participation, vertiport infrastructure, environmental justice, noise and vibration -
2023-08-15
City of Los Angeles RFI Response: Advanced Air Mobility, Docket No. DOT-OST-2023-0079
The City of Los Angeles submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation in August 2023 regarding Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), calling for stronger local government involvement in shaping national AAM policy. The letter emphasizes safety, equity, and environmental concerns, including the need for rigorous aircraft noise, vibration, and frequency analysis to protect communities already burdened by past transportation decisions. Los Angeles urges federal agencies to require independent environmental studies and ensure that low-income communities and communities of color are not further harmed by the rollout of new aerial vehicle technologies. -
2023-07-10Exposure disparities by income, race and ethnicity, and historic redlining grade in the greater Seattle area for ultrafine particles and other air pollutants: supplemental material
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP11662 -
2023-07-10Supplemental material: Exposure disparities by income, race and ethnicity, and historic redlining grade in the greater Seattle area for ultrafine particles and other air pollutants
This environmental health study examines how exposure to ultrafine particles and other air pollutants varies across the greater Seattle area based on income, race and ethnicity, and historical redlining grades assigned by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC). Researchers analyzed pollutant concentration data from 2019-2020 alongside census and demographic data to identify disparities between communities. The supplemental materials include statistical tables and scatterplots supporting the main findings on environmental inequality across Seattle neighborhoods.