B37AcV Environmental Justice

Candidate Pledges on Environmental Justice Issues

A Community voice is excited to share the attached letters of commitment from candidates for Sen. Dr. Joe Bouie, for Rep. Adonis Expose’ and for Agricultural Commissioner Marguerite Green.
The issues are as follows:
  • Specifically I will work with A Community Voice to get the State Active in the Removal of all lead water lines in the State.
  • I will work with A Community Voice to Stop the Expansion of the Industrial Canal.
  • I will work with A Community Voice to Stop the Florida Freeway and remove it from the State’s Master Plan.
  • I will work with A Community Voice to get the law changed for the Blighted lots to be turned into raingardens/Bioswales.
  • I will work with A Community Voice to re-make the state’s intersection at St. Claude & Elysian Fields, specifically to add back in the parking that was removed and make the bike lane safer.
  • I will ensure that the Upper 9th Ward is not gerrymandered in the redistricting of its boundaries for all political subdivisions but will remain as one cohesive unit, preferably with the Lower 9th Ward.
These 3 candidates in 3 separate races are covered by the Lower 9th Ward and Upper 9th Ward, State Rep District 99 , State Senate District 3 and Statewide Secty of Agriculture, are the only ones who have offered to, and signed paper to work with our group on these issues.
See the attached
Please let voters know who stands with the community and remember to vote on October 12th.
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B37AcV Environmental Justice, Flooding, Healthy Homes

Victory on Stopping Formaldehyde Poisoning in FEMA Trailers

A Community Voice has been working with Earthjustice to change the formaldehyde regulations in light of the poisoning that occurred from the FEMA trailers placed in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

EPA agreed to make the compliance deadline for the formaldehyde regulations June 1, 2018.  They have now issued its first enforcement action for violations of the formaldehyde regulations.  EPA entered a settlement agreement with Global Sourcing Solutions to resolve the violations. Under the settlement agreement, Global Sourcing Solutions must take corrective actions to come into compliance and pay a penalty of $544,064.  Please find below EPA’s press release on the enforcement action.

Thank you Earthjustice!

EPA Addresses Violations of Requirements for Formaldehyde Emissions for Imported Composite Wood Products

WASHINGTON (August 26, 2019) —Last week the Environmental Appeals Board approved a settlement resolving violations of the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010 and its implementing Formaldehyde Rule (effective June 1, 2018). This is the first enforcement action taken by the agency for violations of the Formaldehyde regulations. 

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a strong odor. The chemical is found in resins used in the manufacture of composite wood products (i.e., hardwood plywood, particleboard and medium-density fiberboard), among others. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause adverse health effects including irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat and at high exposure levels may cause some types of cancers. The Formaldehyde Rule sets limits on how much formaldehyde can be released from composite wood products and establishes a program in which independent certifying organizations will verify that composite wood panel producers comply with the limits on formaldehyde releases.

The settlement with Global Sourcing Solutions, A Division of Turner Logistics, LLC (GSS) of Montvale, New Jersey, resolves violations associated with the importation of noncompliant composite wood products. Under the Consent Agreement, GSS agreed to take corrective actions to come into compliance and will pay a penalty of $544,064. The settlement reflects the company’s cooperation with EPA, its immediate efforts to come into compliance, and its implementation of the corrective action plan. As part of the settlement GSS, although not admitting liability, has modified its practices in construction projects across the country to assure future compliance with the Formaldehyde Rule requirements.

To read the Consent Agreement:https://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/EAB_Web_Docket.nsf/RecentAdditionsv2/35EF5959F6E2771685258457006C2202/$File/Final%20Order%20and%20Attachments.pdf

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