On February 3, 2012, the District of Columbia published for public notice and comment a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the remediation of the Potomac Electric Power Company facility at 3400 Benning Rd., N.E., Washington D.C., 20019.

On February 10th The DDOE began accepting public comments on the community involvement plan for 30 days.

DDOE representative Jared Piaggione set a deadline of March 7th for accepting public comments.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM:

1.The DDOE did very little to promote the public commenting period to the community surrounding the PEPCO benning road plant. The announcement was placed in the DC register a little used and highly complex online resource of the Government of the District of Columbia.

2. The plan was supposed to be available via the DDOE website but is difficult to find and not promoted on the front page or on any notices to community residents.

3.That is technically not 30 days for public comment.

The PEPCO Benning Road Power Plant is historically known for being an environmental injustice to the community leading to increased rates of asthma, cancer and respiratory illness. For decades the blight of the Power Plant has led to decreased property value and contributed to the collection of toxic facilities surrounding the Anacostia Riverfront. The closing of the PEPCO Benning Road Power Plant and Facility is a major step in reducing air pollution for the community. However many fear that it will lead to further gentrification and displacement of local residents.

Community Residents have the right to know what's going on and to comment on the future of their own community!

Tell DDOE to extend the Public Comment Period on the Community Involvement Plan for the Benning Road Facility in Washington, DC for 30-60 more days so community residents can be truly informed and engaged.

 Please Sign the Petition and Tell DDOE: "GIVE THE COMMUNITY TIME and SUPPORT TO  COMMENT!"

With your help we can make sure the voices of the community are truly acknowledged and respected.

Supporting Documents and Resources:

Community Involvement Plan:

http://ddoe.dc.gov/publication/draft-community-involvement-plan

Consent Decree Announcement:

http://ddoe.dc.gov/publication/draft-community-involvement-plan

Community Involvement in PEPCO Benning Road Clean-up

http://anc7d01.wordpress.com/tag/pepcobenningroadplant/

 

More on the Environmental Justice Climate Change Initiative:

www.ejcc.org