Action Alerts
EnviroJustice is involved in a number of projects that promote fundamental systemic change and environmental justice.
We also support the work of our coalition partners through articulation, dissemination, and integration of faith-based perspectives into education, activism and mobilization.
There are also a number of ways for individuals and groups such as yourself to get involved.
Check out the items on the sidebar to the right for ways you can get involved.
Here are also some current Action Alerts for your consideration and action:
SUCCESS! THE IP TIRE & SLUDGE BURN WAS CANCELLED!
International Paper Tire & Sludge Burn: A Threat to Public and Environmental Health
Call John V. Faraci, Chairman and CEO, International Paper - (901)419-7000 - and ask him to stop the tire and sludge burn in Ticonderoga, New York.
The International Paper Company (IP) has proposed the burning of 72 tons (144,000 pounds) daily of TDF; tire derived fuel and 80 cubic yards (football field cubed) of toxic sludge, at their plant in Ticonderoga, NY. The NYDEC and Region 2 EPA regulators have provided the necessary permits, allowing the plant to start burning tires and sludge over a 2-week period beginning Monday, November 6, 2006 and burn them without the industry standard pollution controls.Without these pollution controls, the use of TDF poses a profound threat to the health of the environment and the health of residents in the Lake Champlain area. The burning of these tires will generate nearly 450,000 pounds of CO2 DAILY, 164,000,000 pounds annually and combined with their No 6 Waste Oil and wood bark a total of almost 2 billion pounds/year, adding an unnecessary burden of green house pollution to the atmosphere.
The incineration of tires emits toxic heavy metals including mercury, lead, chromium, beryllium, cadmium and arsenic. Also, large amounts of the metal Zinc are released, leading to increases in fine particulate matter, which is known to cause respiratory and cardiac disease, stroke and premature death. Lastly, burning tires releases large amounts of Dioxin which the EPA has categorized as the most potent synthetic carcinogen ever made.
The President of the VT American Lung Association sees the potential danger in this proposed burn as so severe as to advise citizens to remain indoors if IP commences the use of TDF. We stand with Senators Jeffords and Leahy, Congressman Sanders, Governor Douglas, Attorney General Sorrell, the VT state Toxicologist Dr. Bress, concerned business leaders, environmental groups across the state, and thousands of VT citizens in continuing to speak out against this burn.
Despite receiving over 1000 letters in opposition to this burn, the NYDEC and the EPA has moved forward, issuing International Paper its permits to burn and leaving Vermonters no recourse short of legal action. And Vermont will continue to pursue all legal avenues to their fullest extent. Vermonters cannot and will not remain silent guinea pigs under the testers of this unnecessary and dangerous pollution.
For more information please contact: Northeast Clean Air Coalition, P.O. Box 95, Vergennes, VT 05491, 802-759-2259, bernst@gmavt.net.