Editable-Baltimore's Fair Development Plan for Zero Waste - Flipbook - Page 17
Time for a Just Transition
TO ZERO WASTE
In 2008 the South Baltimore 21225 zip code had the highest toxic air emissions in the nation.18
The following year, City and state leaders approved a substantial increase in trash burning
infrastructure in the area, green lighting the construction of the largest trash burning incinerator in
United States history. The authorized Energy Answers incinerator was to be constructed less than a
mile from Benjamin Franklin High School, and within 3 miles of three Elementary and Middle
Schools. That year Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley legislated an ongoing subsidy for the project
by granting it the same renewable tax breaks as solar and wind energy. On the day this measure
was signed into law, Energy Answers donated $100,000 to the Democratic Governors’ Association
over which O’Malley presided.19 Adding to this political patronage, a consortium of municipalities,
school systems including Baltimore City Public Schools, and local nonprofits signed energy
purchasing contracts with the incinerator. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called the project a
“national model.”20
In spite of the broad political support, Energy Answers had financial difficulties preventing the
project from progressing. Youth leaders at Benjamin Franklin High School who had formed Free
Your Voice, a human rights committee of the United Workers, decided to begin a divestment
campaign calling for each entity to end its energy purchase agreement with Energy Answers. Free
Your Voice succeeded at convincing Baltimore City government, the school system, and others to
break from their agreements.21 After a six-month public pressure campaign that culminated in a
youth-led civil disobedience action, the Maryland Department of Environment terminated the
permit for the project.22 One of the campaign’s leaders, Destiny Watford, won the 2016
international Goldman Environmental Prize,,garnering international media coverage and
establishing relationships with global leaders in environmental justice and sustainability.23
The Maryland Daily Record named Watford “Innovator of the Year,” and Time Magazine selected her
as one of their “10 Next Generation Leaders.”24
DESTINY WATFORD,
2016 Goldman Prize Winner
for North America
Baltimore City Paper Cover
Vol 38 NO. 30
Community art created in
response to Energy Answers
Incinerator proposal
