Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice

Major Accomplishments 2002

Hartford Diesel Campaign

Recent studies show that diesel emissions are much more toxic than previously thought and that children are exposed to excessive levels from school bus emissions. Because of our monitoring results showing the lack of effectiveness of voluntary compliance with the bus idling regulation, the State legislature passed a three minute idling law which became effective October 1, 2002.

Integrated Pest Management Campaign

HEJN member Building Parent Power took the lead and approached Hartford Public Schools about their pesticide use policy. Building Parent Power educated administrators and teachers about Hartford’s epidemic child asthma rates and what steps the schools can take to safeguard the health of Hartford schoolchildren. In direct response to pressure from Building Parent Power and HEJN, the Hartford Board of Trustees voted in April to adopt an Integrated Pest Management program in Hartford Public Schools. This program will greatly reduce toxin exposure by this already vulnerable population.

Asthma Speakers Bureau

HEJN continued its joint venture with the Hartford Health Department to conduct a multi-media, multi-lingual campaign to bring asthma information to hard-to-reach populations. Through a grant from the US EPA, additional HEJN activists were trained to present a core curriculum to local groups including the signs/symptoms of asthma, common triggers of asthma attacks, and local telephone numbers for information and referral. The trainees presented what they learned to various community groups. Bureau members have spoken at nine events/meetings so far in 2002.

Hartford-New Britain Busway

In March 2002, we received a commitment from the Connecticut Department of Transportation that the buses on the proposed Hartford-New Britain busway will use clean fuel technology (either ultra low sulfur diesel – ULSD – electric hybrid or natural gas) and particulate filters. In addition, this summer the DOT is expecting two new hybrid buses for their Hartford bus fleet which will be powered by both electricity and ULSD. This purchasing decision was in direct response to our campaign to control diesel emissions on buses and provides us with a significant foundation for next session when again we will lobby reduce emissions from diesel transit and school buses.

Awards

In May 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the Hartford Environmental Justice Network as being one of the most effective Environmental Justice organizations in the country.