Environmental justice expert highlights challenges in Connecticut’s Latino communities

Eastern's University Hour series continued on March 26 with a lecture by Alex Rodriguez, an environmental justice specialist with the regional nonprofit organization Save the Sound. The talk spotlighted urgent environmental challenges facing Connecticut and emphasized the critical role of young people in driving environmental change.

The lecture covered the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on low-income and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Connecticut. Rodriguez explained how wealthier neighborhoods tend to experience lower exposure to pollutants, while areas with larger communities of color face environmental burdens in four key areas: energy, transportation, waste,and water.

Speaking of energy, Rodriguez mentioned an often-misunderstood charge on electric bills known as the "Public Benefit Charge." According to Rodriguez, the majority of this charge in fact subsidizes the Millstone Nuclear Plant in Waterford, whereas only a fraction goes toward "public benefit" energy programs. Rodriguez noted that misinformation about this charge has been used to pit communities against environmental investments. "There's a stigma that people aren't paying their energy bills - and that's what's causing distress."

Water safety remains another key concern, particularly due to exposure to PFAS, a group of toxic "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and other health risks.

Rodriguez described how PFAS contamination in the Farmington River several years ago had severe ripple effects, including tainted fish and potential health hazards for families who rely on local waters for food.

"PFAS is not just in firefighting foam - it's in candy, textiles, and more. And too often, Latino communities aren't fully informed about how these toxins could impact their families and children."

While recent legislation in Connecticut bans PFAS in many everyday products, Rodriguez emphasized the need for continued education and engagement in affected communities.

Another equity issue Rodriguez highlighted was public transportation. During the pandemic, Connecticut implemented a popular "Fare Free Transit" program to help residents stay connected. However, that program has since ended, and efforts to restore it have faced resistance.

"Many Latino community members relied on that service to get to work, to stay connected with family. Now that it's gone, it's created a major barrier," said Rodriguez.

Waste management is another rising concern, especially since the closure of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) trash incinerator in Hartford, which for a long time processed waste from more than 50 Connecticut towns. While the plant was criticized for polluting nearby Black and Latino neighborhoods, its closure has created new challenges.

Now, each town must negotiate its own waste removal contracts, often at much higher costs: "Towns with the fewest resources are hit hardest. Trash removal has become very expensive - and that's an equity issue."

Rodriguez underscored the irony that Latino communities, which he says culturally emphasize recycling and generate less waste on average, are still burdened by these rising costs.

Rodriguez ended by empowering youth to become agents of change. Rodriguez encouraged students to get involved through organizations like Save the Sound, the Connecticut Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice, and the Sunrise Movement. He also highlighted the importance of storytelling and civic engagement.

"Youth can learn about environmental justice by connecting with groups like my own, participating in government advisory councils, publishing their environmental stories with local newspapers, and writing local blogs."