Help stop a polluting power plant
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Help stop a polluting power plant in Nicetown: Contribute to 350 Philly’s Legal Appeal Fund
350 Philly and allies are appealing a permit that will allow SEPTA to operate a polluting gas-fired power plant in the Philadelphia's Nicetown community. Your donation will help cover attorney fees and expert witnesses for an important hearing on June 12th. We hope you’ll help us to protect Philadelphians’ health and a livable climate!
>> Background about Our Campaign: What, Where, When, and Why? <<
For more than 2 years, organizations across Philadelphia have been working to stop SEPTA from building a fossil fuel power plant in Nicetown, while also pressing SEPTA to use 100% renewable energy to power our transit system.
Located near Wissahickon and Hunting Park Avenue, the plant would burn natural gas to generate electricity for SEPTA’s Regional Rail trains for at least 20 years. The plant would emit pollutants that would harm the health of community residents, SEPTA workers, and students and teachers at nearby schools. It would also release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and delay SEPTA’s transition to renewable energy.
Nicetown is a low-income community of color, and the neighborhood is already overburdened with pollution and related illnesses. The plant would be located next to SEPTA’s largest depot, which serves more than 300 diesel buses, and just a couple of blocks from the Roosevelt Expressway. The 19140 ZIP code was recently found to have a 31% childhood asthma rate, nearly 4 times the national average. Nicetown shouldn’t be burdened with more pollution.
SEPTA has not demonstrated that the plant is needed, and has not conducted a full health impact study or fully examined alternatives. Despite widespread opposition from community residents, health advocates, and organizations dedicated to justice and sustainability, SEPTA’s Board approved the project in November 2016. In November 2017, Air Management Services office, the Philadelphia agency that enforces air quality regulations, awarded SEPTA a permit that they need to build and operate the plant.
Several members of City Council and state representatives have spoken out against the plant and called for the permit to be withheld. Mayor Kenney, however, has ignored the information we’ve provided and backed the project.
>> Appeal Hearing on June 12 <<
Now 350 Philly is working with two other grassroots organizations,The Center for Returning Citizens and Neighbors Against the Gas Plants , to appeal the air permit. We’ve called for the Licenses and Inspection Review Board to rescind the permit and to require additional studies about pollution from the plant, potential health impacts, and alternatives.
We’ve contracted with Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services to represent us and expert witnesses to provide testimony. A preliminary hearing took place in April 2018. Now we’re preparing for a second and final hearing on June 12th.
>> How You Can Help <<
350 Philly aims to raise $2500 to cover some of the attorney fee and expert witness fees for our appeal. A contribution of any size is greatly appreciated! Please encourage friends to contribute as well, by sharing this page through email and social media. And please join us at the hearing at noon on June 12th, at 1515 Arch Street (18th floor).
For more information, visit 350philadelphia.org . Questions? Email [email redacted].
350 Philly and allies are appealing a permit that will allow SEPTA to operate a polluting gas-fired power plant in the Philadelphia's Nicetown community. Your donation will help cover attorney fees and expert witnesses for an important hearing on June 12th. We hope you’ll help us to protect Philadelphians’ health and a livable climate!
>> Background about Our Campaign: What, Where, When, and Why? <<
For more than 2 years, organizations across Philadelphia have been working to stop SEPTA from building a fossil fuel power plant in Nicetown, while also pressing SEPTA to use 100% renewable energy to power our transit system.
Located near Wissahickon and Hunting Park Avenue, the plant would burn natural gas to generate electricity for SEPTA’s Regional Rail trains for at least 20 years. The plant would emit pollutants that would harm the health of community residents, SEPTA workers, and students and teachers at nearby schools. It would also release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and delay SEPTA’s transition to renewable energy.
Nicetown is a low-income community of color, and the neighborhood is already overburdened with pollution and related illnesses. The plant would be located next to SEPTA’s largest depot, which serves more than 300 diesel buses, and just a couple of blocks from the Roosevelt Expressway. The 19140 ZIP code was recently found to have a 31% childhood asthma rate, nearly 4 times the national average. Nicetown shouldn’t be burdened with more pollution.
SEPTA has not demonstrated that the plant is needed, and has not conducted a full health impact study or fully examined alternatives. Despite widespread opposition from community residents, health advocates, and organizations dedicated to justice and sustainability, SEPTA’s Board approved the project in November 2016. In November 2017, Air Management Services office, the Philadelphia agency that enforces air quality regulations, awarded SEPTA a permit that they need to build and operate the plant.
Several members of City Council and state representatives have spoken out against the plant and called for the permit to be withheld. Mayor Kenney, however, has ignored the information we’ve provided and backed the project.
>> Appeal Hearing on June 12 <<
Now 350 Philly is working with two other grassroots organizations,The Center for Returning Citizens and Neighbors Against the Gas Plants , to appeal the air permit. We’ve called for the Licenses and Inspection Review Board to rescind the permit and to require additional studies about pollution from the plant, potential health impacts, and alternatives.
We’ve contracted with Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services to represent us and expert witnesses to provide testimony. A preliminary hearing took place in April 2018. Now we’re preparing for a second and final hearing on June 12th.
>> How You Can Help <<
350 Philly aims to raise $2500 to cover some of the attorney fee and expert witness fees for our appeal. A contribution of any size is greatly appreciated! Please encourage friends to contribute as well, by sharing this page through email and social media. And please join us at the hearing at noon on June 12th, at 1515 Arch Street (18th floor).
For more information, visit 350philadelphia.org . Questions? Email [email redacted].
Organizer
Mitchell Chanin
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
