SB 1137 is a victory for frontline communities and environmental justice over Big Oil
CONTACT: Veda Banerjee, 415-999-8332, veda@envirovoters.org
SACRAMENTO, CA – Mary Creasman, CEO of California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), released the following statement in response to passage of SB 1137 from the California State Legislature. The bill prohibits oil and gas production facilities within 3,200 feet of homes, daycares, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive sites.
“This bill is a long overdue win for frontline communities and critical to transitioning our economy away from its reliance on fossil fuels. Big Oil is a dangerous, exploitive neighbor that has made record profits while exposing California’s low-income communities of color to invisible toxic pollutants. After years of tirelessly fighting, it’s exciting to see our leaders side with environmental justice advocates and take bold action to help these underserved communities suffering from cancer clusters, higher rates of childhood asthma, and lower life expectancies. We are especially thankful for the hard work done by Senators Lena Gonzalez and Monique Limón along with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan to finally get this done. We wouldn’t be here today celebrating this major win without champions who paved the way for setbacks, including Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi and Chris Holden.”
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
