- Take Action to Stop Carbon Waste Dumping
- Benicia Holds Valero Accountable
- A Big Bay Win: San Jose Unveils Pollution Reduction Project
- Richmond: Join the Call for Superfund Cleanup on 4/23
- Baykeeper’s Eric Buescher Honored with Delta Protector Award
- Keep the Bay Clean for Earth Day
- Celebrate the Bay on May 17
Take Action to Stop Carbon Waste Dumping
Developers are proposing a dangerous and deceptive carbon waste dumping scheme that poses a threat to Bay Area communities and wetlands.
The project, called the Montezuma NorCal Carbon Hub, would compress and pump carbon waste from Bay Area refineries into the Montezuma wetlands through pipelines. The main pipeline—45 miles of it potentially underwater—would extend from Contra Costa County to Solano County, affecting communities and ecosystems along the way.
Sign our letter urging local officials to stop this project!
Benicia Holds Valero Accountable
The Valero oil refinery in Benicia has been responsible for many disturbing pollution and safety violations—including explosions, fires, spills, and toxic leaks—over the years.
Now, the city of Benicia is courageously demanding greater accountability from the oil giant and other industrial facilities.
Earlier this month Benicia passed a new industrial safety ordinance, which we helped advocate for. The ordinance authorizes the city to investigate pollution issues and requires facilities to report hazardous emissions promptly.
Great work, Benicia!
Pictured, above: A drone patrol image of the Valero refinery in Benicia
A Big Bay Win: San Jose Unveils Pollution Reduction Project
In 2016, we won a landmark case against San Jose to stop the city from polluting the Guadalupe River and San Francisco Bay. At the time, the city was one of the biggest sources of Bay pollution.
Last week, San Jose unveiled a huge new project that will fulfill one of our settlement agreement requirements. The project, the Riverview Stormwater Garden, will reduce stormwater pollution, provide recreational access, and help control floods.Â
It’s a major win for the Bay and South Bay communities!
Photo: City of San Jose
Richmond: Join the Call for Superfund Cleanup on 4/23
A Richmond Superfund site known as United Heckathorn is a major source of DDT and other pollutants contaminating the Bay and shoreline. The site was supposed to be cleaned up in the 1990s, but that effort failed. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
On Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30pm, the EPA will host a Zoom call to engage with the community where they will describe why the last cleanup failed and the plan to move forward.
Register for the meeting here. Please bring your questions for EPA and state officials!
Pictured: Baykeeper patrol image of the United Heckathorn and Levin export terminal site in Richmond.
Baykeeper’s Eric Buescher Honored with Delta Protector Award
Last week, Restore the Delta honored our managing attorney Eric Buescher with a Delta Protector Award.
The distinction pays tribute to Eric’s tireless work defending the Bay-Delta, including his contributions to stopping the Delta Tunnel and the Sites Dam & Reservoir projects, both of which would be devastating to the watershed and local communities.
Congratulations, Eric!
Pictured: Restore the Delta’s executive director Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla presents Baykeeper managing attorney Eric Buescher with the Delta Protector award. Also pictured: awardees Jann Dorman of Friends of the River and Peter Drekmeier of the Tuolumne River Trust.
Keep the Bay Clean for Earth Day
Join Baykeeper in our annual Clean Bay Challenge and make a difference close to home this Earth Month!
As a Clean Bay Challenge volunteer, you’ll protect wildlife and keep San Francisco Bay beautiful by picking up trash in your own community. Whether it’s on your street, in your neighborhood park, or at your favorite shoreline, you’ll help reduce plastic pollution and protect the Bay. Together, we’ll work towards a #TrashFreeBay!
Celebrate the Bay on May 17
Join our special Bay Celebration at the Dolphin Club on Saturday, May 17. All proceeds will hold polluters accountable and defend San Francisco Bay. Get tickets today and show your support for a protected Bay!
Enjoy stunning shoreline views while savoring sustainable seafood and pours from Obsidian Wine Co. Win big in the silent auction, learn how your support protects the Bay, and connect with fellow Bay defenders. You won’t want to miss it!