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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
12:44
Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Blueprint for communicating risk and preventing environmental injustice
Shereitte C Stokes1, Darryl B Hood, Jeanne Zokovitch
1Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
|February 23, 2010
Summary
Community organizations can prevent polluting industries from locating in vulnerable areas. A blueprint, based on a Florida case, successfully stopped a coal power plant, protecting residents from toxic emissions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Community Organizing
Background:
- Susceptible populations face health risks from industrial pollution, especially near facilities like coal-fired power plants.
- Effective information dissemination is vital for communities to prevent harm from pollutant-emitting industries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a community-led blueprint for preventing polluting industries from siting in disproportionately exposed areas.
- To empower environmental justice communities in resisting new industrial pollution.
Main Methods:
- Developed a strategic blueprint for community organizations.
- Applied the blueprint in Taylor County, Florida, to oppose a proposed coal power plant.
- Focused on organized information dissemination and permit opposition.
Main Results:
- Successfully prevented the Taylor Energy Center (TEC) consortium from obtaining permits for a coal-fired power plant.
- Minimized the risk of additional toxicant exposure for the Taylor County community.
- Demonstrated the efficacy of community-based environmental advocacy.
Conclusions:
- Community organizing and strategic information dissemination are effective tools against industrial pollution.
- Environmental justice communities can successfully block new polluting facilities.
- The presented blueprint offers a replicable model for similar advocacy efforts.
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