Sander Kushen, sander.kushen@sierraclub.org
SAN FRANCISCO — Dozens of residents and environmental advocates rallied at City Hall today, protesting San Francisco's lawsuit against the EPA less than 2 weeks before the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a case that could severely weaken the Clean Water Act nationwide.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is expected to pass a resolution on Tuesday urging the city to withdraw the lawsuit, which challenges EPA rules on offshore pollution and contradicts decades of regulatory precedent. But despite growing pressure, Mayor Breed, City Attorney David Chiu and SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera have continued to defend the city's position. These officials and other opposition cite unsubstantiated claims about rate hikes while ignoring the very real environmental and health costs associated with a sewage-filled Bay.
"A common tactic of the far right and climate deniers is to use fake numbers to scare the public into submission. But the people of San Francisco know better,” said San Francisco Supervisor Myrna Melgar. “It is the role of the government to protect the citizenry from harm and maintain our public resources. That's why I am fighting to protect the Clean Water Act while our City Attorney fights for our right to pollute the Ocean and Bay in front of the right wing Supreme Court. I will not stand by while others risk not just the clean water and air of Northern California but the entire country. We have the opportunity to come to the table and find a compromise, but unfortunately some of my colleagues would rather stand with the biggest polluters in the United States.”
Supervisor Melgar was joined by Board President Aaron Peskin, Supervisor Dean Preston and representatives from environmental and community organizations at the rally, where protesters gathered with signs demanding the city drop the case. Last month, a coalition of 47 local and statewide groups sent a public letter to Mayor London Breed opposing the lawsuit.
“San Francisco has a long history of leading on environmental stewardship that has survived many attacks to undermine our progress,” said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. “We must reject the false narratives now that pit ratepayers against clean water and demand a negotiated settlement that maintains the best interests of the environment -- which is ultimately the best interests of all of us.”
“Many of the nation’s biggest polluters—the National Mining Association, American Petroleum Institute and American Chemistry Council, to name a few—have filed briefs supporting this dangerous lawsuit,” said Scott Webb, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter, addressing the crowd. “Our elected officials need to decide if they're on the side of polluters, or community members. This is a watershed moment for San Francisco.”
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on October 16. Environmental experts warn that if San Francisco prevails, it could substantially damage Clean Water Act protections and degrade water quality in the San Francisco Bay and across the country.
“San Francisco faces a long history of environmental justice issues,” said Arieann Harrison, Founder and CEO of the Marie Harrison Community Foundation. “As a city that prides itself on climate leadership, pursuing this lawsuit is a clear violation of our ecosystem, our renowned seafood industry, and the wellbeing of our community.”
The case began when San Francisco challenged EPA regulations in an attempt to avoid cleanup responsibilities outside a sewage treatment facility. After the 9th Circuit Court rejected the city's arguments, the Supreme Court agreed to review the case.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.