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January 14, 2022

NJ Gov. Delays Power Plant Contract After Community Organizes to Protect Newark Neighborhood
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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has postponed a key vote on a contract
to build a $180 million gas-fired power plant in Newark. Murphy called
for "a more thorough environmental justice review and robust public
engagement process." The governor's decision is being celebrated by
community organizers in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood who warn the
power plant would worsen the already poor local air quality and
exacerbate the climate crisis. Organizer Maria Lopez-Nuņez spoke on
Democracy Now! earlier this week.

Maria Lopez-Nuņez: "And our community is majority Black and Latinx,
working-class, immigrant community, that's deeply affected by the
issues. And despite all of our socioeconomic issues, immigration issues,
housing issues, we still fight to make sure that we're bettering our
neighborhood. You know, we helped build a park along that river. We have
a vision for our community. And that's all we're asking for, is not
anything extra. We're just asking for a chance to fight for clean air
and clean water."

Click here to see the rest of our interview.


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