Target: Jerry Brown, Governor of California
Goal: Praise Governor Brown for helping to expedite cleanup of lead and other toxins from family homes.
Governor Jerry Brown has proposed $176 million to expedite the hazardous waste cleanup in Vernon, CA. This heavily industrialized town was victim to an illegally operating battery plant for nine decades. The plant spewed arsenic into the air and lead into city’s soil. Activists on ForceChange demanded that this toxic mess be addressed and the cleanup process be sped up. Governor Brown listened and is working to make sure these contaminants will be disposed of. Let’s thank Governor Brown for taking steps to remove pollution from California homes.
The Exide-owned battery plant shut down two years ago with promises to clean the lead from contaminated homes. Since then, less than two hundred homes have been cleaned. Residents believe poor management from the Department of Toxic Substances Control combined with Exide filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has slowed down the process. Environmentalists, law officials, and locals have been pleading with Governor Brown to do something to help this crisis. With Brown’s proposal, Vernon and surrounding neighborhoods will have lead-free yards years before they were originally promised.
With California and the nation experiencing a plethora of environmental health hazards, it is good to know that Governor Brown is standing up for his people. The $176 million will not negatively effect taxpayers either. The state would pay for costs upfront, but Exide would be responsible in paying everything back like it was originally supposed to. Let’s thank Governor Brown for making this community safer by speeding up testing and cleaning of these contaminated homes.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Brown,
Thank you for doing the right thing and proposing that over $176 million go to clean the Exide contamination. Families have waited years for their yards to be safe again, and soon they will be. Your act shows that communities can trust the government to step in when needed. By holding Exide responsible for reimbursement you have also showed that corporations cannot get away with destroying our environment or our communities.
Los Angeles has experienced other environmental tragedies, like nearby Porter Ranch. Your commitment to them and to the city of Vernon is a great example that both rich and poor communities deserve equal treatment. No family should have to endure a home that is not safe for their children to play. Thanks to you that will no longer be an issue for the city of Vernon and surrounding communities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Department of Toxic Substances Control
1308 Signatures