|
|
|
|
|
Carmen M. Concepción, PhD, Graduate School of Planning, Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, P.O. Box 23354 U.P.R. Station, San Juan, PR 00931-3354, (787) 763-7590, cconcepc@rrpac.upr.clu.edu
The paper will develop a historical analysis of industrial development in the Cataño-Guaynabo air basin and its social and environmental impacts in the predominantly low-income municipality of Cataño since the 1950s. This time was the beginning of the heavy industrial development, a shift to oil-based power plants (from the previous hydroelectric projects), and urban expansion. My interest is to place analysis of Cataño’s environmental issues in this context and relate them to ongoing debates on environmental justice activism. The Cataño-Guaynabo air basin has been a nonattainment air quality area since the 1970s. Air pollution in the area is mainly due to a long and intense industrial activity (including two government power plants, the oldest refinery in Puerto Rico, and a cement plant), heavy traffic in nearby highways and port activities. Health problems, especially high incidence of cancer and asthma, and problems of a reduced quality of life have led community groups to fight both polluters and ineffective regulators. The paper will focus on four issues: (1) how industrial development took place to create and sustain a pattern of environmental injustice, (2) the inability of regulatory intervention – both of U.S. federal and Commonwealth governments – to effectively control pollution in the area, (3) the challenges of community and environmental activists to polluters and regulators, and (4) how the state and industry have responded to environmental and public health concerns and activism of community groups in Cataño.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Environmental Justice, Social Activism
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.