#SWEAnews | #SWEA | #SouthWardEA | #SouthWardEnvironmentalAlliance
|
|
Greetings South Ward Family,
The South Ward welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris to the Tahir Whitehead Center on Friday, February 11th, to congratulate the City of Newark on replacing 23,000 lead service lines.
Investing in infrastructure is a matter of justice and equity. Everyone deserves access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water, but right now, 186 million people in the United States get their water from systems that are contaminated by lead pollution. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead, yet children in schools and child care centers across the country are exposed to lead in their drinking water.
Vice President Harris stated, "Here in Newark the work that has been done is a function of the collaboration between community leaders, elected leaders and public health leaders".
As I listened to her message, I was so proud because the words resonated in our work. The South Ward Environmental Alliance depends on our residents and community stakeholders to work in solidarity to create a vibrant and healthy south ward.
I am looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 19th at the 1st Environmental Summit, "One Ward United For Environmental Justice".
Peace and Blessings,
Kim Gaddy
Executive Director
|
|
|
Panelists for the South Ward Environmental Alliance
"One Ward, United for Environmental Justice"
|
|
The South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA) is an environmental justice grassroots, community-based alliance of residents and community-based organizations. Our mission is to create healthy and vibrant neighborhoods by ensuring residents' voices are heard and are active participants in decision-making regarding policies that impact their neighborhood.
The conference theme ”One Ward, Fighting for Environmental Justice” is a critical topic for the South Ward community due to the proliferation of warehouses, increased truck traffic, flooding, and unsafe drinking water in our homes and schools. The workshops will address the environmental injustices that impact our quality of life and uplift the importance that everyone regardless of race, neighborhood, or financial status deserves access to a healthy community to live in. The conference will feature breakfast, local, state, national environmental speakers, networking lunch and the launch of the Sonny Gaddy, Jr. Scholarship fund.
|
|
|
Advocates estimate that New Jersey has about 350,000 lead service lines:
"We wanted to ensure that when they turned on that faucet first thing in the morning, they weren't going to drink a glass of lead. It was a relief. As a parent of children, we want to know our children are protected."
- Kim Gaddy
|
|
VP Harris hails Newark as role model for solving lead water line crisis
|
Vice President Kamala Harris’s nationwide tour touting President Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure law came to Newark Friday. Harris hailed the city’s replacement in less than three years of 23,000 lead service lines carrying water to people’s homes — an effort spearheaded by Mayor Ras Baraka.
The problem is a lot bigger than Newark; it’s a statewide issue. Advocates estimate New Jersey has about 350,000 lead service lines. Harris noted New Jersey will receive $1 billion over five years to help pay the bill for replacing those lines. But advocates estimate the actual cost could be $2.3 billion.
|
|
|
Lead-tainted service lines replaced
Kareem Adeem, Director Newark Water and Sewer Department. Newark has replaced 23,000 lead-tainted service lines connecting private homes and businesses to city water mains in just 3 years, at no cost to the owner, in Newark, N.J. January, 31, 2022
What's Next?
For Governor Murphy to invest funding from the ARP for water infrastructure becomes next major call to action.
How Can You Help?
Tweets this week with the following hashtag: #OurWaterNJ.
Replacing lead water lines in Newark is protecting the health of countless families. @GovMurphy can help accelerate investment in removing lead lines across NJ by committing an additional $1.2 billion to water infrastructure.
New Jersey community water systems need nearly $30 billion in funding over the next 20 years. Acting now with additional funding is a commitment to making our state more affordable while creating good jobs and protecting the health of our families.
|
Copper piping being installed replacing lead-tainted pipes. Newark has replaced 23,000 lead-tainted service lines connecting private homes and businesses to city water mains in just 3 years, at no cost to the owner, in Newark, N.J. January, 31, 2022.
|
|
South Ward Environmental Alliance joined the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign to Call for Expanded Investment in Water Infrastructure
|
Tamir Lee of Roman E and G construction uses a tool to burrow under the street to install copper piping. Newark has replaced 23,000 lead-tainted service lines connecting private homes and businesses to city water mains in just 3 years, at no cost to the owner, in Newark, N.J. January, 31, 2022
|
This month a broad and historic coalition of labor, environmental organizations and business groups announced the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs campaign. The campaign calls for expanded investment in water infrastructure by leveraging an additional $1.2 billion from New Jersey’s share of the American Rescue Plan funding.
SWEA is asking you to sign on here to endorse directing funds to water infrastructure and join groups like LiUNA!, NJBIA, NJ League of Conservation Voters, ELEC 825, Association of Environmental Authorities, New Jersey Future, New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, NRDC, New Jersey Utilities Association, US Water Alliance, and UTCA in supporting the campaign.
|
|
|
|
Sonny Gaddy, Jr.
Entrepreneur Scholarship
|
Sonny William Gaddy, Jr. was a highly motivated and determined young man. He was laser focused on empowering our youth with the understanding that their success in life will be determined by their calculated and strategic movements.
|
|
|
 |
Sonny Gaddy, Jr.
Book Scholarship
As an alumni of Science Park High School, this book scholarship recognizes students who understand the importance of hard work and dedication. Two select winners will be chosen to receive an award of $500 towards college book expenses. Please complete the application below and be sure to provide any additional supporting documentation.
|
|
 |
 |
Sonny Gaddy, Jr.
Entrepreneur Scholarship
This entrepreneurship scholarship recognizes business owners who understand the importance of innovation and vision. One select winner will be chosen to receive an award of $2500 towards “seed money” to help grow their business. Please complete the application below and be sure to provide any additional supporting documentation.
|
|
 |
|
NJ Curbs Diesel Emissions
at its port
The DEP’s proposed rules would cut pollution from cargo-handling equipment, cleaning up the air in nearby communities.
In an effort to improve air quality around New Jersey’s ports, the state proposed tough new rules to crack down on pollution from cargo-handling equipment spewing diesel emissions in nearby communities. The proposal marks the second time in a month in which the state would mostly copy a California regulation aimed at reducing pollution from the transportation sector.
In December of 2021, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection proposed a rule that would phase out diesel-fueled trucks and replace them with electrified medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The new rules, detailed in a 116-page proposal, are designed to comply with an executive order issued last year by Gov. Phil Murphy to reform and modernize air and land-use regulations to mitigate the effects of climate change in the state.
Visit Clean Water Action's Website and learn more about EmpowerNJ: No Fossil Fuel Projects by clicking here.
|
|
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Announces the Inaugural Cohort of its
New Momentum Fund:
Which includes SWEA!
$1.5. million in multi-year funding for 10 emerging organizations employing innovative strategies to address root causes of structural racism in New Jersey, nominated and selected in a new community-engaged process.
Over the last two years, the dual crises of racial injustice and the ongoing global pandemic have accelerated the Dodge Foundation’s imperative to Imagine a New Way by transforming our philanthropic approach and our work. In 2021, we sharpened our focus on a just and equitable New Jersey by prioritizing efforts that address root causes and repair of structural racism and inequities in our state.
Living into our commitment to learn and to practice new ways of working and connecting in new spaces, the Dodge Foundation launched the Momentum Fund in Fall 2021. The Momentum Fund engages with organizations that are working in service to under-invested communities in New Jersey that are most directly impacted by structural barriers to equity—namely communities of color. Social justice practitioners, stakeholders, and leaders in New Jersey nominated and selected the cohort. Congratulations to all!
|
|
Air Quality Updates
Purple Air Monitoring
Low-cost air quality sensors can be used to detect and monitor air pollution levels in your area. The resulting data can be used for policy action, remediation, and future economic investment. For the first time in the South Ward, the collocation process began in September 2021 and is working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to collocate 13 air monitors. Currently, the South Ward has purple air monitors actively monitoring the air quality in seven locations.
How do PurpleAir sensors work?
PurpleAir senors use PMSX003 laser counters to measure particulate matter in real-time, with each laser counter alternating 5-second readings averaged over 120 seconds. Each laser counter uses a fan to draw a sample of air past a laser beam.
What is a hazard or danger related to air monitoring quality?
'Fine Particulate Matter PM2.5' -
Fine particulate matter is an air pollutant that is a danger to people's health; particularly when levels are high. PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air which reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.
|
|
|
Dayton Street Spotlight
#NoSecretHub
*Live stream of press conference can be found here.
|
|
Weequahic Section Highlight
Heat Watch and Air Quality Campaign.
|
|
Upper Clinton Hill Spotlight
Upper Clinton Hill Residents Scored a Victory for Rose Terrace & South 10th Street Residents. [SWEA Blog].
|
|
Lower Clinton Hill Spotlight
[Coming Soon]
|
|
|
Have a story or featured topic to suggest for our next newsletter?
|
|
|
South Ward Environmental Alliance [SWEA]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|