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[Greenpeace Press Release -- Redistribute Freely]

SAN FRANCISCO CITIZENS BLOCK CONTROVERSIAL NEW POWER PLANT    
Greenpeace hails victory over Environmental Racism  
 
Press Release-SAN FRANCISCO,CA, JUNE 20, 1996 (GP) Bowing to
pressure from Greenpeace and local activists, the San Francisco
board of Supervisors has  unanimously voted  to block
development  of a proposed natural gas burning power plant in
the southeast section of the city known as Bayview Hunters
Point.  Two main reasons cited for the unanimous vote were
environmental racism and adverse health conditions in the
neighbourhood.
 
The two year struggle kept yet another polluting facility out of
a neighbourhood already over-burdened with facilities handling
hazardous materials.  Bayview Hunters Point is approximately 68%
African-American and 22% Asian Pacific Islander.  
 
"This is a tremendous victory not only for Bayview Hunters
Point, but for all communities around the US fighting for their

right to a toxic-free environment,"  said Greenpeace Energy
campaigner Kishi Animashaun.  The area, which 28,000 residents
call home, is host to two Superfund sites, a wastewater
treatment facility, two power plants, as well as over 100 sites
identified as "hot spots" by the city's Health Department. 
 
Neighbours organized to form the Southeast Alliance for
Environmental Justice (SAEJ) after hearing of a proposal by San
Francisco Energy (an independent energy producer controlled by
AES of Arlington, VA) to build a 240 megawatt natural gas
cogeneration facility only 1.6 miles away from the local school.
The plant would have produce over 300 tons of air pollution each
year.   
 
AES, the controlling partner, has failed two of its last three
attempts to site power generators. The town of Bucksport, Maine
blocked AES's proposal for a coal power plant by referendum. AES
was run out of Jacksonville, Florida by union officials there
after attempts at union busting.   
 
"Today marks the beginning of the end of dumping in Bayview
Hunters Point," said Supervisor Angela Alioto, sponsor of the
resolution that urges Mayor Willie Brown and all city
departments to refrain from permitting any new power generation
facilities in Bayview Hunters Point. "What we are doing for the
health of Hunters Point is invaluable".
 
Environmental justice struggles are often waged over visibly
noxious and toxic facilities such as waste dumps and
incinerators.  Gaining political momentum against the siting of
a power plant, which is perceived as an acceptable, even needed
facility was initially difficult. The health issue gained the
fight citywide attention.  A Department of Public Health report
release last Fall confirmed black women under the 50 had the
highest rates of breast and cervical in the country.  Another
report by showed that there were also alarming rates of asthma
and other respiratory illnesses in the area. Community residents
and environmentalists responded by pointing to the high level of
contamination in the community as the likely culprit.
 
In March, the California Energy Commission voted against
residents and approved certification for the power plant
project.  "Mayor Brown and supervisors were more receptive and
sided with concerns of citizens over the promises of San
Francisco Energy," Greenpeace's Animashaun.   
CONTACT:  Kishi Animashaun, 415/512-9025 
          Deborah Rephan, 202/319-2492