Environment

Oakland: Tracking Air Quality Block By Block

Published

8 years ago

April 18, 2017

By Ngoc Nguyen

A local environmental advocacy group last week launched a first-of-its kind monitoring project, installing air quality sensors in the densely packed neighborhoods near this city’s port to give the people who live and work there on-the-ground readings of pollutants that can seriously injure their health.

The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, in partnership with researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, installed the first 25 of the 100 sensors they plan to place in the area, whose residents have long been burdened by diesel pollution from ships, trains and heavy-duty trucks coming in and out of the port. The devices will be stationed in the residents’ yards, schools, senior centers and businesses.

Diesel pollution accounts for about 70 percent of the known cancer risk related to air toxins in California, according to the state Air Resources Board. The health effects of diesel also include chronic heart and lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as decreased lung function in children. These, in turn, can lead to ER visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths.

Oakland’s asthma rate in children (19 percent) and adults (16 percent) is on par with Alameda County, where the city is located. But, asthma rates are higher for children in West Oakland, near the port, where the number of kids diagnosed with the disease is nearly 21 percent, according to data from the California Health Interview Survey (AskCHIS, 2014). Statewide, 15 percent of children and 14 percent of adults have had an asthma diagnosis.

The rate of asthma-related emergency room visits is nearly twice as high in Oakland as in Alameda County, according to the county health department.

California has reduced diesel pollution in a number of ways, including programs to retrofit trucks with equipment that makes them run more cleanly and a gradual phaseout of older trucks. Since 1990, diesel pollution in the state has decreased by 68 percent, according to the Air Resources Board.

Government and business investments to clean up trains, ships and trucks operating at the Port of Oakland have dramatically reduced diesel particle emissions there by 75 percent since 2015, according to a report released last year by the port.

However, the passage of a sweeping gas tax bill by state lawmakers last Thursday to pay for road repairs contains a provision that could make it harder for the state to regulate emissions from the trucking industry.

Brian Beveridge, co-founder of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, says diesel pollution from port activities must be further reduced.

Last week, the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project filed a federal complaint, alleging that by forging ahead with a planned port expansion, the city and Port of Oakland are ignoring the disproportionate health impacts on West Oakland residents. Half of the residents are African-American, and the neighborhood has one of the highest poverty rates in the county.

Beveridge says people in West Oakland are still concerned about the dangers of dirty air, and they think more detailed monitoring is needed to clearly understand the quality of the air they are breathing.

Read the full Q&A at California Healthline.

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Related Topics:environment Health Oakland Port of Oakland west oakland West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project

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California Black Media

Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation. During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Newsom visits the White House on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Gov.Ca. Gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.

During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.

At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.

“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.

On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.

Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

1 month ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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Business

Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Tackle Rising Electric Bills

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help alleviate the financial burden of skyrocketing electric bills on residents. This directive instructs the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission to identify strategies to lower electricity costs and prevent rapid increases in the future.

Published

1 month ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Among the key actions proposed, the governor emphasized a closer examination of utility expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, which accounts for about 13% of residential electric bills.

Newsom underscored the state’s commitment to balancing affordability with environmental goals.

“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” said Newsom. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”

California now has the second-highest electric rates in the country, trailing only Hawaii, with residential bills having surged as much as 110% over the past decade. The largest utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have seen rate hikes of 20% to 50% in just the last three years, approved by the state’s regulatory bodies.

The executive order also directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to explore increasing the California Climate Credit, which provides some relief on energy costs for residents. Additionally, the PUC is urged to pursue federal funding opportunities to further reduce electric expenses.

While consumer advocates welcomed the governor’s focus on lowering costs, concerns were raised regarding potential cuts to essential clean energy programs. CALPIRG, a consumer group, pointed out that the real issue behind high utility bills is wasteful spending by utilities and urged greater accountability.