VICTORY! PG&E HUNTERS POINT POWER PLANT IS CLOSED!

Bayview Hunters Point Residents and Greenaction Celebrate Victory

in Long Struggle for Clean Air and Environmental Justice



VICTORY CELEBRATION TO BE HELD FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2006, 6 PM

at HUNTERSVIEW PUBLIC HOUSING, 227 West Point Road, Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco



San Francisco, CA – The long fight by Bayview Hunters Point residents, Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice and allies to close the dirty, outdated and unnecessary PG&E Hunters Point power plant is over, as state and PG&E officials have confirmed the plant has stopped generating electricity. Residents have also confirmed that the stacks that emitted unacceptable levels of pollution for decades are now quiet and are not in operation.



Julie Gill of the California Independent Systems Operator, the state agency in charge of the power grid, and Robert Harris, PG&E Vice President for Environmental Affairs, have both confirmed to Greenaction that the plant is no longer generating electricity. The plant will officially close when the “Reliability Must Run” contract is terminated by the Cal ISO on May 15th. As one of California’s dirtiest and oldest power plants, it had polluted the community for over 77 years.



“This is a great victory for Bayview Hunters Point, for our children and community,” said Tessie Ester, representative of the Huntersview Mothers Committee and resident of Huntersview public housing located across the street from the PG&E power plant. “Our children have suffered for too long with asthma and pollution, but today we celebrate cleaner air and our victory for health and justice.”



The closure and victory come after years of protests, including nonviolent direct actions at the plant.



“Although we will be celebrating this great victory for environmental justice, we must now begin new fights against other polluting industries in our community, and we must also encourage industry and government to support clean, renewable energy, not polluting fossil fuel power plants” said Marie Harrison, community organizer for Greenaction. “We must also oppose the so-called redevelopment plan that could result in evicting the low-income people of color residents of our community who have a right to remain here and enjoy clean air and a healthy environment.”



The Huntersview Mothers Committee and Greenaction invite everyone to a victory celebration

Friday, May 12, 2006 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Huntersview public housing, 227 West Point Road, near Evans, in Bayview Hunters Point.