EJS Legal Director Allison Elgart provided public comment on May 24 before the California Public Utilities Commission in opposition to a natural gas storage project proposed for Sacramento’s Avondale/Glen Elder neighborhoods, which are largely African American.
Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC), which is advocating for the community, is helping coordinate efforts to ensure that all voices are heard on this proposed project.
“85% of the residents of the community are people of color. The gas storage facility will be located directly underneath schools, parks, and community centers. Given the alternative sites and a weak argument for need, approval of the Project would work an environmental injustice and a racially disparate impact,” said Allison before the CPUC.
“This project can disproportionately harm this community and contribute to stigmatizing both the people and place of Avondale/Glen Elder. It must not be approved.”
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the Sacramento Natural Gas (SNGS) Storage Project in South Sacramento confirms the project community’s health and safety concerns by identifying three significant environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated.
The Final EIR states: “Gas migration could result in groundwater impacts, health effects, and potentially flash fires or explosions. Therefore, this impact is considered significant.”
The Avondale/Glen Elder neighborhoods of Sacramento are historic treasures and represent the hopes and dreams of generations of people, past and present.
These neighborhoods originated as largely African American communities during WWII, as labor for the U.S. military was recruited from the South.
In more recent decades, Latino and South East Asian immigrant populations have increasingly called these neighborhoods home as they work to achieve the American Dream.
The Proposed SNGS Project would be the first of its kind in a pre-existing, densely residential neighborhood.
As lead counsel on this case, your support is a tremendous boost. Thank you. Let’s keep up the pressure!
As lead counsel on this case, your support is a tremendous boost. Thank you. Let’s keep up the pressure!
Thanks so much Colin!
Thanks so much Colin!
As I am a person of a multi-culteral bloodline, on the surface a project like this might seem like they are picking on a multi-culteral neighborhood (The neighborhood is mostly Asian & Anglo, not African American. Barely 74% add up to those considered to be of any “color”.). But the reality is science. This location was chosen by the previous safety record and the current and future safety status. It’s 3/4’s of a mile underground where Natural Gas has been trapped in a sandstone for over 30 million yrs. Where a caprock that ranges between 200-500ft in thickness in the shape of an upsidedown bowl keeps the Natural Gas trapped. There is Natural Gas still trapped to this day. Also, it’s 22 mile from the closest fault line, there is no oxygen underground to cause explosion, there will be emergency shut off valves that shut the system down within 10 seconds, and for the caprock to even begin to fracture, Sacramento would need an 8.9 earthquake. To top it off, if Natural Gas ever did leak, it would take millions of years for it to even reach the surface. The entire West coast will be under water by then. Anyone can stand in front of us and portray things to be bad without us knowing the entire story. So I came by to drop a little knowlege.
Thank you for your comment. Our information contradicts what you posted. Please feel free to send me references to support your assertions. I’d be happy to review them. ~ Keith Kamisugi (kkamisugi@equaljusticesociety.org)
As I am a person of a multi-culteral bloodline, on the surface a project like this might seem like they are picking on a multi-culteral neighborhood (The neighborhood is mostly Asian & Anglo, not African American. Barely 74% add up to those considered to be of any “color”.). But the reality is science. This location was chosen by the previous safety record and the current and future safety status. It’s 3/4’s of a mile underground where Natural Gas has been trapped in a sandstone for over 30 million yrs. Where a caprock that ranges between 200-500ft in thickness in the shape of an upsidedown bowl keeps the Natural Gas trapped. There is Natural Gas still trapped to this day. Also, it’s 22 mile from the closest fault line, there is no oxygen underground to cause explosion, there will be emergency shut off valves that shut the system down within 10 seconds, and for the caprock to even begin to fracture, Sacramento would need an 8.9 earthquake. To top it off, if Natural Gas ever did leak, it would take millions of years for it to even reach the surface. The entire West coast will be under water by then. Anyone can stand in front of us and portray things to be bad without us knowing the entire story. So I came by to drop a little knowlege.
Sure. Just go to their website: http://www.sacnaturalgas.com … It’s filled with lots of great information and FACTS. There are over 360 projects similar to this one all over the U.S. But this project will be the FIRST to put such high standards for safety and compliance regulations that go above and beyond normal regulations. Also, it will be the ONLY PROJECT to receive their L.E.E.D. certificate making this project Clean and Green. It has also set up a community foundation run by the community. Where .25% of the annual gross income from the project will go back to the community for any betterment the community decides. This project is not after people to hurt anyone, it is a project to bring more energy reliablity to Sacramento that will supply jobs and City & State Tax Revenue. Just think about this the next time you ride by a diesel truck, it has put out more pollution in those 5 seconds you rode by it then this project will in the next 100 years. Enjoy.
Sure. Just go to their website: http://www.sacnaturalgas.com … It’s filled with lots of great information and FACTS. There are over 360 projects similar to this one all over the U.S. But this project will be the FIRST to put such high standards for safety and compliance regulations that go above and beyond normal regulations. Also, it will be the ONLY PROJECT to receive their L.E.E.D. certificate making this project Clean and Green. It has also set up a community foundation run by the community. Where .25% of the annual gross income from the project will go back to the community for any betterment the community decides. This project is not after people to hurt anyone, it is a project to bring more energy reliablity to Sacramento that will supply jobs and City & State Tax Revenue. Just think about this the next time you ride by a diesel truck, it has put out more pollution in those 5 seconds you rode by it then this project will in the next 100 years. Enjoy.
Isn’t it amazing how the “spin doctor’s of this multi million dollar predatory project are so quick to defend based upon their bald assertions of safety. They do not address the fact that the environmental impact statement said the best project is no project; identified substantial dangers that cannot be mitigated and required a declaration of overriding circumstances to place the burden on this neighborhood. If only the residents had the financial backing to respond to this distortion.
Is this well financed media hack actually claiming that a population made up of 75% people of color not a community of color?
Isn’t it amazing how the “spin doctor’s of this multi million dollar predatory project are so quick to defend based upon their bald assertions of safety. They do not address the fact that the environmental impact statement said the best project is no project; identified substantial dangers that cannot be mitigated and required a declaration of overriding circumstances to place the burden on this neighborhood. If only the residents had the financial backing to respond to this distortion.
Is this well financed media hack actually claiming that a population made up of 75% people of color not a community of color?
There are no “bald assertions” and the company is not a “multi million” dollar company. They have a small office where only 5 people work. Why is the neighborhood even a question? Why does everyone bring up race? This project isn’t about either. This project is about Sacramento having a reliable back-up supply, bringing more jobs to Sacramento, bringing money and betterment to this neighborhood and Sacramento, and more tax revenue for the city and state. I am a person all for equality. But this project is set on science. If the project could move the field, they would gladly do so. But this is the only field in Sacramento that meets all requirements and safety needs. There are not substantial dangers if this project is approved. The EIR also states that any of the potential dangers are highly unlikely to EVER happen. If the Natural Gas ever migrated to the surface, it would take millions of years, plus it wouldn’t ever hit the surface in Sacramento because of all the underground acquifer’s. Natural Gas is not a contaminate. There is a reason why it’s called “natural”. Your body creates “natural gas” every day. Everything that lives creates natural gas. As things decompose it creates natural gas. And when Natural Gas goes in the air, it disapates. Natural Gas burns clean and has no health risk. That is why PG&E exists today. Think about the next time you cook on a gas stove, ride the RT Bus in Sacramento, your package is delivered by UPS or you take a nice hot shower by a natural gas powered water heater, it’s ALL Natural Gas and it’s SAFE. The community is made up of 37% Asian, 26% Anglo, 17% African American, 13% Hispanic and 7% Other. Call it whatever you want. What do you consider “color”? Is it a multi-cultural neighborhood? Yes! No Denying that. Also, according to statistics, the neighborhood makes an average of $39,000/yr-$45,000/yr. Doesn’t seem that poor either does it?! 75% of the residents decided to be on board with the project. And there are still residents and will be signing leases for the project. Each homeowner has had the opportunity to learn and be presented about the project. No one twisted anyone’s arm. It’s the homeowner’s decision whether to support the project or not. The majority of the people against the project don’t even live in the project field. Most just want more money and/or are upset they used to be included in the field in the 80’s and aren’t getting compensated for it now. To top it off, the Chairman of the proposed project, his family and grandchildren live above a Natural Gas storage project in LA, right next to LAX and they love it there. Those homes are worth millions. They have the money to live anywhere they want and they don’t even get compensated from the project there. This project is to help us, THE RATEPAYERS of Sacramento. To help stabilize some of these costs we have to pay for energy. I’m not a “media hack”, I’m a born and raised Sacramentan who wants the best for this city, where I plan to live many many more years. I believe in “Clean and Green”. I believe in things being safe for the environment. I recycle, I pick up trash, I try to help keep my neighborhood clean and I believe the world needs more projects like this one. A project that sets such high safety standards and is willing to go above and beyond standard requirements compared to other projects. This project is trying to make a statement to other projects that they should be running just as safe as this one proposes to run. It’s always best to learn as much as you can about something before you make a judgement call. Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, don’t just read bits and pieces from those who haven’t done their research to it’s entirety either.
There are no “bald assertions” and the company is not a “multi million” dollar company. They have a small office where only 5 people work. Why is the neighborhood even a question? Why does everyone bring up race? This project isn’t about either. This project is about Sacramento having a reliable back-up supply, bringing more jobs to Sacramento, bringing money and betterment to this neighborhood and Sacramento, and more tax revenue for the city and state. I am a person all for equality. But this project is set on science. If the project could move the field, they would gladly do so. But this is the only field in Sacramento that meets all requirements and safety needs. There are not substantial dangers if this project is approved. The EIR also states that any of the potential dangers are highly unlikely to EVER happen. If the Natural Gas ever migrated to the surface, it would take millions of years, plus it wouldn’t ever hit the surface in Sacramento because of all the underground acquifer’s. Natural Gas is not a contaminate. There is a reason why it’s called “natural”. Your body creates “natural gas” every day. Everything that lives creates natural gas. As things decompose it creates natural gas. And when Natural Gas goes in the air, it disapates. Natural Gas burns clean and has no health risk. That is why PG&E exists today. Think about the next time you cook on a gas stove, ride the RT Bus in Sacramento, your package is delivered by UPS or you take a nice hot shower by a natural gas powered water heater, it’s ALL Natural Gas and it’s SAFE. The community is made up of 37% Asian, 26% Anglo, 17% African American, 13% Hispanic and 7% Other. Call it whatever you want. What do you consider “color”? Is it a multi-cultural neighborhood? Yes! No Denying that. Also, according to statistics, the neighborhood makes an average of $39,000/yr-$45,000/yr. Doesn’t seem that poor either does it?! 75% of the residents decided to be on board with the project. And there are still residents and will be signing leases for the project. Each homeowner has had the opportunity to learn and be presented about the project. No one twisted anyone’s arm. It’s the homeowner’s decision whether to support the project or not. The majority of the people against the project don’t even live in the project field. Most just want more money and/or are upset they used to be included in the field in the 80’s and aren’t getting compensated for it now. To top it off, the Chairman of the proposed project, his family and grandchildren live above a Natural Gas storage project in LA, right next to LAX and they love it there. Those homes are worth millions. They have the money to live anywhere they want and they don’t even get compensated from the project there. This project is to help us, THE RATEPAYERS of Sacramento. To help stabilize some of these costs we have to pay for energy. I’m not a “media hack”, I’m a born and raised Sacramentan who wants the best for this city, where I plan to live many many more years. I believe in “Clean and Green”. I believe in things being safe for the environment. I recycle, I pick up trash, I try to help keep my neighborhood clean and I believe the world needs more projects like this one. A project that sets such high safety standards and is willing to go above and beyond standard requirements compared to other projects. This project is trying to make a statement to other projects that they should be running just as safe as this one proposes to run. It’s always best to learn as much as you can about something before you make a judgement call. Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, don’t just read bits and pieces from those who haven’t done their research to it’s entirety either.