Environmental Racism Ordinance would limit pollution in low-income areas

• If passed Cincinnati would be the first major city with such a law.

A proposed city ordinance could add to the red tape businesses go through to expand or build new buildings, while ensuring that polluting businesses don't set up shop in low-income areas with minority populations. The ordinance was presented to City Council and has been referred to the City Attorney's office for a review and rewrite. If adopted, Cincinnati would be the first major city to have such an environmental justice measure, said John Phillips, a Cincinnati lawyer who drafted the ordinance for Communities United For Action. "It's time to share this burden," said Marilyn Evans, director of the group, which for two decades has focused on areas like Winton Hills. "The poor and minority communities is where the dumps are. This is where all the trash comes, where all the pollutants come." The current draft of the ordinance would require businesses to certify to City Council that they would have no "significant adverse impact" on environmental justice.  [more]