“This is an absolute environmental injustice”

SAN DIEGO — In case you missed it, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and climate advocate Tom Steyer toured the Tijuana River Valley alongside Supervisor Paloma Aguirre and met with a roundtable of experts and community leaders to discuss the region’s ongoing clean up efforts.

After visiting a pollution hotspot and engaging in discussions on the policy, scientific, and social dynamics of the sewage crisis, Steyer said that, if elected governor, he would declare a state of emergency and make cleanup efforts a top priority on day one. Local news outlets KUSI/FOX 5 and NBC 7 covered the visit, and excerpts from their reporting are included below.

KUSI/FOX 5: Tom Steyer visits Tijuana River Valley

“I think it’s critical to understand that this is a true injustice. This is an absolute environmental injustice where we’ve permitted an environmental disaster to exist in a low-income, Latino community for years, that I don’t believe we’d permit in many other communities in this state.”

NBC 7 (Video): Candidate for Governor Tours Tijuana River Valley 

“Joined by San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, Steyer called the situation an environmental disaster. [....] He said he would declare a state of emergency on day one if elected governor.

He did say he would work with local families and leaders like Supervisor Aguirre to devise a plan.”

###