Reposted by Neighbors For Environmental Justice (N4EJ)
toxic plants, data centers, and also, cars!
www.npr.org/local/2022/0...
npr.org
Chicagoans living near heavy-traffic corridors breathe the most polluted air
Data from a new sensor network shows the highest rates of pollution in Little Village, Austin, Englewood, Irving Park and other neighborhoods. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio
![The Department of Environment’s full restoration is welcome news, said Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice.
But “whether or not it turns out to be a meaningful change” depends on the department’s willingness to do things differently from its predecessors, Moser said.
Dropped charges, light fines and a willingness to negotiate tickets with large companies were common themes when the health department handled environmental enforcement, according to Moser’s 2023 report, “Ineffective By Choice.”
As the Department of Environment takes over, officials cannot continue to let repeat offenders slide, Moser said. He cited South Deering residents’ years-long struggle with Pullman Innovations’ “noxious odors” as an example of how residents suffer from a lack of enforcement.
“I think what matters more than [creating] new powers [for the Department of Environment] is having the political will to act,” Moser said. “They need to use the powers they have creatively, and … make some decisions about what the city wants to do when pollution is not an accidental thing, but actually a core part of [a facility’s] business model.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:52vagreyljbpbjc5brlimvfm/bafkreihkdpquqfbuyn3xxr4qytwtw4b6iv3hne5367o22ytwvrssis7leu)
![The city's health department, which is responsible for environmental investigations and enforcement said defended its record and said it "has been working to address community concerns related to Pullman Innovations for many years."
In a statement, the health department said that it "has also been working with the [Pullman] facility to determine what new odor-reducing control equipment can be used."
In its own statement, EPA officials said they are "aware of the odor complaints in this area. EPA is currently working with the company to ensure compliance with environmental regulations."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:52vagreyljbpbjc5brlimvfm/bafkreiatbasfoyivtvw434e5jpktmzp6o5kt6ckpf3tehphm6spubie7nq)
