1/16 Big news from the @athletics today. Even bigger news for West Oakland residents and
organizations who’ve spent decades fighting for cleaner air and water.
organizations who’ve spent decades fighting for cleaner air and water.
2/16 Since we first began exploring Howard Terminal as the potential home for our new ballpark, we’ve worked hard to build a project vision shaped by the voices of West Oakland. 
3/16 We consistently hear the same themes: real commitments to grow jobs, support local businesses, and invest in neighborhoods in a way that benefits and protects long-time residents.
4/16 We hear another, troubling message: deep concern for the environmental health of the community. West Oakland has long dealt with unacceptably high levels of pollution, as well as elevated risks of health problems like asthma, heart disease, & COVID woeip.org
5/16 A better future is possible. Communities of color shouldn’t have to choose between living wages and healthy communities.
6/16 The A’s are serious about being #RootedInOakland. We can’t ignore these concerns. That’s why earlier today, we took a step forward in fighting environmental injustice in West Oakland.
7/16 This morning, the A’s filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court against the @CaliforniaDTSC for their failure to impose & enforce environmental law in West Oakland against #SchnitzerSteel, the largest metal shredding facility in the state.
schnitzerwatch.org
schnitzerwatch.org
8/16 Our lawsuit details several concerning facts: #SchnitzerSteel sits less than a mile away from 23,000 West Oakland residents. It generates materials that consistently exceed toxicity thresholds for hazardous waste.
9/16 These materials are left outside, where they can leach into the soil and groundwater, blow offsite, and catch fire. The #SchnitzerFires are well-known. At least 6 in the past 11 years. 5 since January 2018. Many sending dark plumes of smoke into the sky.
10/16 Hazardous materials are supposed to be tightly regulated. Long ago, CA passed tough rules on the handling of hazardous waste to protect communities. @CaliforniaDTSC has exempted Schnitzer from having to comply fully with the law for 30 years. This is a regulatory failure.
11/16 It’s wrong. And it needs to stop.
12/16 We want to be part of the solution. Environmental stewardship is core to our commitment to Oakland. We are doing this with our groundbreaking environmental justice legislation to improve air quality, reduce car trips by 20% & address sea level rise. wearerooted.com
13/16 But there is much more to do. Today is the next step. The lawsuit we filed this morning against @CaliforniaDTSC describes these problems in detail and seeks to fix them. It’s long overdue.
14/16 We can create both environmental AND economic benefits. In a way that cleans the air and water. Employs members of our community. Helps to modernize the @PortofOakland. And preserves thousands of union jobs.
15/16 We want our ballpark project to be a catalyst for environmental justice in West Oakland. We’ll fight this fight regardless of what happens with the ballpark. This is bigger than baseball.
16/16 Please join us. Sign our petition at schnitzerwatch.org. Demand action from @CaliforniaDTSC and #SchnitzerSteel. #RootedinOakland schnitzerwatch.org
