Causes: Environment, Pollution Abatement & Control

Mission: The clean air coalition builds power by developing grassroots leaders who organize their communities to run and win environmental justice and public health campaigns in western new york.

Programs: City of buffalo, ny: clean air successfully instituted the second round of participatory budgeting in the city of buffalo. Participatory budgeting is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget. Over 250 residents particpated in this year's cycle. The process funded projects like technology upgrades and snow plows for community centers.

tonawanda, ny: in tonawanda, clean air continued to work to reduce the impact of pollution on community health, resulting in a 92% reduction in benzene emissions in the ambient air. Clean air also led a community development planning process to rebuild tonawanda's economy in the wake of the huntley coal plant closure. The planning process engaged over 1,000 residents and workers, and leaders from 20 community organizations.

leadership development and environmental justice: this year, the organization continued to support residents in south buffalo who are being exposed to silica dust from a concrete crusher. Clean air also supported residents on the east side of buffalo who live near a site that has pcb contamination, winning a commitment from nysdec to start clean up of the former american axle site. Throughout the year, clean air provided trainings to residents throughout the region on organizing skills, public budgets, and advocacy to build community capacity.