Environmental justice advocates in Oakland want a say to fight for healthy neighborhoods |

By Magaly Muñoz

The proposed expansion of the Port of Oakland's turning basin would accommodate 1,300-foot-long “mega-ships” that will carry shipping containers and cargo into the port, instead of the already large 1,300-foot-long ships that currently enter the port daily.

The port claims the expansion will reduce port transit time, transit emissions and transportation costs while improving safety.

“It’s a matter of economics,” John Driscoll, maritime director of the Port of Oakland, said in a 2019 statement. “By putting more cargo on larger ships, shipping companies can actually reduce the number of ships they use.”

However, legal organizations argue that port emissions activities account for the largest share of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in the western part of the city, particularly from collection vehicles, cargo handling equipment, ships and more.

Increased traffic congestion from more trucks loading more cargo will also increase the air pollution that people breathe in neighborhoods surrounded by major highways.

EarthJustice and concerned residents are calling on the port to prioritize zero-emission equipment over increasing truck traffic that is harming the environment and local residents.

“Our position is not that the port should not operate as a business, but rather that it should not do so at the expense of the West Oakland community, particularly when it comes to concerns about public health, air quality and these types of projects.” Expansion of the turning basin appears to be so,” EarthJustice attorneys said.

Under California law, tow trucks at ports began adopting zero-emission technology this year, with full implementation expected by 2035.

The Port of Oakland has purchased several battery-electric trucks and is working on cleaner equipment, but officials acknowledge that will take time and resources.

Less than 10 miles from the port, another project, the addition of new terminals at Oakland International Airport, is worrying activists and workers.

According to CalEnviroScreen, an estimated 174 people per 10,000 people living in close proximity to the airport visited the emergency room for asthma.

According to Airport Tracker, emissions from passenger flights at OAK Airport are equivalent to the annual emissions of 1,200,000 cars.

Proponents argue that airlines are failing to meet climate targets, so expansion should be halted until technical solutions are available to make air travel more environmentally friendly given current demand.

Among the people most affected at the airport are those who work there day and night.

Juana, a cabin cleaner at OAK, told the Post that she developed asthma shortly after starting work and was unable to pay for the medications she needed due to low pay and no health insurance.

“Working there is a negative burden on your life, your health and everything,” Juana said.

As a cabin cleaner, she and three other employees have to disinfect and clean the inside of the aircraft cabins as soon as passengers leave the plane. The work can be strenuous and they are often directly exposed to aircraft pollution as they have to wait in the terminal for the plane to arrive.

Juana explained that her employer did not give workers enough time off to recover from the detrimental effects of working at the airport. She said when people raised concerns about the conditions, they were met with hostility and told to leave if they didn't like being there.

Not many left, Juana admitted.

Juana said the airport and third-party companies, like her employer, were aware that people in the community were desperate for jobs and were essentially exploiting them with hard work and low pay.

She fears the terminal expansion will double the work for her and her colleagues, without increasing wages and leaving people more exposed to the worrisome health problems the job brings. Additionally, since OAK is not required to provide health insurance to employees, their current health problems will only worsen over time.

Cooperation with the port

Environmental justice activists agree that while not all of their needs have been met and there is still a long way to go, they have the ear of some port commissioners.

Michael Colbruno, a board member since 2013, considers himself an environmentalist, which activists say is not a true proponent of environmental justice, but comes close enough.

Colbruno has opened dialogue and access to decision-makers by organizing an informal meeting that he leads to gather community input on port projects.

These meetings resulted in increased grant funding, greater awareness of what environmental concerns might arise from future agenda items, and the port's participation in the Green Marine Program. The program helps its participants improve their environmental performance beyond regulations and targets key environmental issues related to the protection of biodiversity and air, water and soil quality.

Colbruno acknowledged that there are problems with some projects the port is working on, but the city needs to find a way to continue growing so it doesn't miss out on economic opportunities.

“So the goal is to try [projects] to be as clean and sustainable as possible and to install the parts that have the least environmental impact on the community. Such a project without impact on the environment is not possible. That’s impossible,” Colbruno said.

While activists appreciate the opportunity to speak with Colbruno, they are demanding a long-overdue seat at the Port of Oakland Commissioner's table for someone like Gordon, who has been on the front lines grappling with the harsh realities of life in these communities affected by the polluted environment .

Activists plan to push for greater mayoral representation as more board seats open up in the coming years.

“I think that's a valuable thing, to have someone who really understands the first-hand experience … someone who has the expertise,” Fleck said.