richmond
Newsletter
Credit: Nicolas Arnold/Unsplash
Chevron agrees to a $550 million settlement with California city
Richmond, California, secured a half-billion dollar settlement from Chevron after proposing a ballot tax on barrels produced at its local refinery, setting a potential model for other cities.
In short:
- Chevron offered a $550 million settlement to avoid a proposed barrel tax in Richmond, California.
- The settlement could fund Richmond's budget for ten years and encourage similar actions in other refinery towns.
- Activists view the deal as a mixed victory, while some cities are already considering similar initiatives.
Key quote:
“The community of Richmond has created a movement that will echo across the nation.”
— Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of Richmond
Why this matters:
Cities across the U.S. could use Richmond's strategy to pressure large polluting industries into settlements. This approach may empower local governments to secure funding while holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts.
Read more: Pollution, Poverty, and People of Color: 'We Are Richmond'
In short:
- Chevron offered a $550 million settlement to avoid a proposed barrel tax in Richmond, California.
- The settlement could fund Richmond's budget for ten years and encourage similar actions in other refinery towns.
- Activists view the deal as a mixed victory, while some cities are already considering similar initiatives.
Key quote:
“The community of Richmond has created a movement that will echo across the nation.”
— Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of Richmond
Why this matters:
Cities across the U.S. could use Richmond's strategy to pressure large polluting industries into settlements. This approach may empower local governments to secure funding while holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts.
Read more: Pollution, Poverty, and People of Color: 'We Are Richmond'
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Newsletter
Credit: STEPHEN POORE/Unsplash
Richmond's Black community faces high heat-related illness rates
Black residents in Richmond suffer disproportionately from heat-related illnesses, with many incidents occurring near cooling centers.
In short:
- A GeoHealth report reveals Black people in Richmond experience more heat-related health issues than other groups.
- Historical lack of investment in Black neighborhoods contributes to higher temperatures and fewer cooling options.
- Many heat-related incidents occur within walking distance of cooling centers, highlighting accessibility issues.
Key quote:
"Spending just a few hours at a cooling center can help prevent heat-related illnesses, but a lot of Richmonders might not know these cooling centers exist or they might not have a safe way to get there."
— Peter Braun, a built environment policy analyst with the Richmond and Henrico Health District
Why this matters:
Urban heat islands and climate change worsen health disparities, particularly in underinvested communities. Black residents, who often live in areas with fewer green spaces and more heat-retaining concrete, are particularly vulnerable. Their neighborhoods frequently lack adequate tree cover and are dotted with aging infrastructure that exacerbates the urban heat island effect. This environmental injustice leads to higher temperatures in these areas, compounding the health risks for the community.
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Chevron is publishing local news and propaganda in Texas
Chevron-sponsored Permian Proud is providing community news (and corporate propaganda) in one of Texas' most news-starved regions.
Need good news in this heat? Virginia's air is cleaner
An amendment in 2000 created new standards as evidence came to light about how air pollution affects the body. This enabled the EPA to address the pollutants that are the key elements in producing ground level ozone.
www.eastbayexpress.com
Cannabis companies take pains to polish their eco-friendly image
Even in the best circumstances, growing and selling weed can be incredibly damaging to the environment.
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com
Environmental groups sue Richmond over approval of Campus Bay Project
The groups claim approval of the mixed-use Campus Bay Project violates state environmental quality standards and ignores science on rising sea levels.
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com
Bay Area Coal Country? Richmond residents, coal companies battle over use of port
The Bay Area and Coal Country seem worlds apart. But it turns out the San Francisco Bay plays a critical role in the export of coal to Asia.
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