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A little past 4 a.m. on June 21, 2019, workers at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery in Philadelphia noticed a leak from a corroded pipe, and were immediately on high alert. The leak had originated in Unit 433, known among workers as the bogeyman because it contained the highly explosive chemical hydrofluoric acid, or HF. When released in large quantities, the chemical can form a dense, toxic vapor cloud that hugs the ground and can travel many miles. Contact with this cloud can be deadly; if it ignites, it could cause a massive explosion. Sure enough, a vapor cloud materialized and ignited, causing three large explosions and a massive fire that sent smoke pouring into the sky. Pieces of equipment the size of cars flew through the air, miraculously landing in the Schuylkill River without hitting any homes. The force of the explosions threw workers back, injuring five, but ultimately did not cause any fatalities. Workers remembering the incident years later agreed that it could have been much worse. You figure you aint going home, one former worker told Grist of the moment he saw the fire in Unit 433. You figure this is it. Shortly after the incident, the company filed for bankruptcy and shut down, leaving around 1,000 workers jobless and without severance pay. Refineries that use HF are regulated under the Environmental Protection Agencys Risk Management Program, or RMP, a regulation designed to improve chemical accident prevention at large petrochemical facilities. But for reasons that have little to do with knowhow and capacity, RMP regulations have been glaringly ineffective. Indeed, few regulations have been subject to the yo-yo of successive presidential administrations, and their political whims, like the RMP. The RMP program was established in 1990 following a series of infamous chemical disasters in the 1980s, most notably the chemical leak at Union Carbides plant in Bhopal, India, which poisoned roughly 500,000 people, around 20,000 of whom died in the hours and years afterward due to health complications from the exposure. Another leak at a Union Carbide facility in West Virginia the following year caused eye, throat, and lung irritation for at least 135 residents. The first iteration of the rule came into effect in 1994, during the Clinton administration, but lacked several important protections such as independent auditing for regulated facilities, public information provisions, and the requirement that companies complete a safer technology and alternatives analysis to determine whether there are any safer ways to conduct their operation. A series of chemical disasters in 2013including a massive explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in west Texas that killed 15 people and damaged 350 homesbrought these deficiencies to the attention of regulators. In January 2017, the EPA under President Barack Obama finalized amendments to the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements of the RMP, which included measures to enhance emergency preparedness requirements and ensure that local emergency response officials and residents had access to information to better prepare for potential chemical disasters. But the provisions never went into full effect: In May 2018, during Donald Trumps first term in office, the EPA proposed amendments to remove third-party audits and incident investigations, among other protections. The Trump rule was finalized in December of 2019six months before the explosion at the Pennsylvania refinery. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, the EPA began working on a new set of amendments for the RMP rule. Unions like U.S. Steelworkers and advocates at organizations like the Union of Concerned Scientists pushed for better public disclosure provisions, the inclusion of more types of facilities in the safer technologies alternatives assessment requirements, and the freedom for workers to stop work that they deem unsafe. Many communities that are vulnerable to chemical accidents are in overburdened and underserved areas of the country, said former EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a statement announcing the final rule last March. It was slated to go into effect in 2027. In the past few years, several chemical disasters have disrupted life in the countrys industrial corridors. In August 2023, a large fire at Marathon Petroleums refinery in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, in August 2023 burned for seven hours, causing residents to flee for safety. But in the days following the incident, neither the company nor state and federal environmental regulators responded to locals questions about what chemicals the air was being tested for. And in 2024, a hydrogen sulfide leak at Pemexs refinery in Deer Park, Texas, killed two contract workers and injured 35 others. In January, a group of industry trade associations sent Lee Zeldin a letter congratulating him on his appointment to the position of EPA administrator and asking him to take swift action against the misguided and illegal new requirements of Bidens RMP rule. In their letter, the trade groups argued that the new rule represents an overextension of the EPAs authority and fails to provide a durable solution to facility safety, though they did not explain how the rule falls short in this regard. They singled out an interactive map that the agency published last year separate from the rulemaking process showing where RMP facilities are located around the country, along with other basic public information such as compliance history and the types of chemicals stored onsite. In a statement announcing the EPAs decision to revisit the RMP rule earlier this month, Zeldin seemed to buy industrys argument. The Biden EPAs costly Risk Management Plan rule ignored recommendations from national security experts on how their rule makes chemical and other sensitive facilities in America more vulnerable to attack, Zeldin said. The press release also notes that Bidens RMP rule makes domestic oil refineries and chemical facilities less competitive. It took years to come to the rule that was finalized last year, said Darya Minovi, a senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. To see that rolled back simply because of a letter sent by industry trade associations is really frustrating and shows what little regard this administration has for communities they say they care about. Minovi told Grist that the rhetoric about national security is overblown. The public data tool does not contain sensitive information, she said, and when the Department of Homeland Security reviewed the rule last year, they flagged no concerns with the public information disclosure requirements. Were not happy about it, the U.S. Steelworkers representative told Grist about the Trump administrations reconsideration of the RMP rule. As for Zeldins concerns about making domestic oil and gas companies competitive, I think that putting workers and communities at greater risk of catastrophic injuries is not good for the economy. This article originally appeared in Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. 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E-Commerce
Social media creator Kat Abughazaleh, 26, is running to represent the 9th District of Illinois in Congress against an incumbent whos held the seat since 1998. She announced the news on TikTok. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are dismantling our country piece by piece, and so many Democrats seem content to just sit back and let them. So I say its time to drop the excuses and grow a f*cking spine, Abughazaleh says in the opening to her TikTok announcement, published on the platform on Monday. After stating her intention to run for a House seat against the 80-year-old Democratic incumbent, Representative Jan Schakowsky, Abughazaleh adds, Unfortunately, this party has become one where you have to look to the exceptions for real leadership, as the majority work from an outdated playbook. We need a makeover. @katmabu oh hey Im back #fyp #foryoupage #news #politics #america #trump #elonmusk #tesla #doge #democrats #democrat #woketok #janschakowsky #chicago #chicagotiktok #evanston #illinois #domore original sound – Kat Abughazaleh Abughazaleh may have just announced her run for Congress, but her strategy already provides some insight into how shes planning to upend that outdated playbook (and how future new legislators might do the same): by meeting younger voters where they areliterally, on TikTokand embracing a direct-yet-casual tone in her branding that feels natural to a digitally native generation. Meeting young voters where they are On TikTok, Abughazaleh has become known by more than 225,000 followers for her liberal political commentary, giving viewers frank, easy-to-understand analyses of policy and cultural trends, like an eight-part series on the rise of white Christian nationalism. Outside of social media, shes worked as an independent journalist for the left-leaning watchdog nonprofit Media Matters for America, monitoring conservative content and analyzing emerging trends. Now shes using her experience as a communicator to craft a campaign designed to capture young voters attention. Abughazaleh has already perfected the short-form TikTok format, and her announcement video makes it clear that she plans to use that skill to her advantage. Instead of being a production-heavy or highly edited announcement, Abughazalehs video is just her, in her home, casually speaking into a microphone with captionsa standard TikTok format she also uses for her political commentary. Within the video itself, shes clear about how she wants her campaign to differ from the norm: Were focused on meeting constituent needs with one simple rule: What if we didnt suck? she says. My campaign and I would rather spend our money on book drives and clothing exchanges and public events than fancy fundraisers for rich donors. I also want my campaign to be as transparent as possible. Thats why Ill be posting regular videos about the costs and steps of running for office. As a Gen Z candidate already using social media to build a career, Abughazaleh is in a unique position to appeal to young voters on TikTok without seeming disingenuous. According to a tweet from Abughazaleh, her announcementwhich garnered more than 230,000 views on TikTok and another 37,000 on Xhas helped her campaign raise more than $200,000 in its first 24 hours. [Screenshot: katforillinois.com] An internet-savvy tone From her announcement video alone (and her motto, What if we didnt suck?) its obvious that Abughazaleh is using language and tone as another lever to connect with Gen Z. Her mix of candid honesty, exasperation, and a touch of humor feels like a refreshing reflection of how Gen Zers actually talk to each other on the internet. Abughazalehs tone is even more distinct on her new campaign website. In her bio, she highlights that she doesnt have health insurance, and her net worth is pretty much just the laptop I bought with my entire severance when I got laid off. One page lays out her core principles, including a section on basic existence, which decries the current rising cost of living while Elon Musk hides away in his own personal compound. [Screenshot: katforillinois.com] The site also includes a timeline highlighting that Abughazaleh was born after Schakowsky first took office, captioned, Sorry for the history lesson but like I said, we have a representation problem; a list of anti-endorsements dedicated to calling out figures like Musk and Tucker Carlson, who have previously taken issue with her work; and a mission statement that starts, I’m running for Congress because the same old shit isn’t working. In short, Abughazalehs copy style communicates that shes a regular, in-touch, working-class citizen of the U.S., and its meant to distinguish her from the reputation of elitism and inaction that has plagued many established Democratic politicians. In an interview published in Rolling Stone, Abughazaleh is clear about her intentions to run her campaign without catering to corporations, scraping for donations from wealthy donors, or making concessions to the MAGA crowd. We are in an emergency, Abughazaleh told the publication. Right now, the answer to authoritarianism isnt to be quiet. Its not matching pink outfits at a state address. Its not throwing trans people under the bus. Its not refusing to look at the party at all and see where it could be better. The answer is to very publicly, very loudly, very boldly stand up. Its a message that simultaneously calls out the Democratic Partys current ineffectiveness while asking constituents not to give in to apathyand it might be whats needed to actually invigorate young voters to get involved in politics.
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E-Commerce
Altadena Girls began as a pop-up shop immediately after the Eaton Fire tore through Los Angeles, born out of a desire to help affected teenage girls regain a sense of their identity. The mission was simple yet profound: offer a space where they could rebuild what had been lostclothing, makeup, and other items that help define who they are. The impact was significant as it reached more than 42 million people on social media in the first few weeks while receiving support from high-level brands and celebrities. Now, Altadena Girls is planning to open a community center dedicated to empowering young girls, helping them through trauma, and providing long-term support. [Photo: Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images] In the Beginning Avery Colvert, 14, started Altadena Girls as a way to help her friends who had lost everything in the fires. Shelters and donation spaces had necessities like food, water, and blankets, so Colvert, who lives in Pasadena, decided to take a different approach to help those who needed more than just the bare essentials. I wanted to specifically focus on teenage girls, because when you’re a teenager and you’re still growing up and getting to know yourself, things like your clothes and your makeup and how you do your hair, it’s a piece of your identity,” Colvert says. And they lost that in the fire, so I wanted to provide a space where they could get those items back. Avery Colvert [Photo: Dunja Dumanski/courtesy Altadena Girls] The Eaton Fire, which started on January 7, claimed 17 lives as powerful winds propelled the flames across the region, giving residents little time to gather belongings before evacuating. The fire devastated the Altadena community in Los Angeles County, destroying more than 9,400 structures and scorching 14,021 acres. The road to recovery will be long and costly, with rebuilding expenses potentially costing hundreds of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, there are concerns about the long-term health impacts of prolonged exposure to hazardous air quality, and the emotional toll on the region is profound. Thousands have been displaced, including longtime residents and entertainment industry veterans like Mandy Moore and Richard Cabral. Colvert first spread the word about what she wanted to do through an Instagram page she created on January 11 for Altadena Girls. Her stepfather, Matt Chait, who has a background in branding and graphic design, quickly put together a logo. They hadnt planned to start accepting donations until the following day, but the page gained traction almost immediately. Before they knew it, trucks loaded with supplies were arriving at the studio space in Boyle Heights where Colvert had set up shop. Clothing, shoes, beauty products, personal items, feminine hygiene products, and hair care filled up the space, as volunteers showed up without being askedready to help. An army of volunteers showed up from 10 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m., helped us open and close and reorganize, Colvert says. The people were able to sort clothes and make it look nice and beautiful [so that] it’s a fun experience. It’s about the memory that is left after shopping. [Photo: Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images] The community impact was highly emotional, especially in the first few days, as families were coming to the pop-up wearing the clothes they evacuated in, says Chait, who cofounded Altadena Girls with Colvert and her mother, Lauren Sandidge. As time went on, he noticed a shift in terms of what people were looking for, and how they acted when coming in. There wasnt so much of a desperation as much as a hope and a lot of interest in whats next, Chait says. They were happy to come in and get the things they needed, but also see this beautiful space and wonder, Where else is it going from here? Sandidge says it quickly became clear that what they were doing went far beyond physical items. “I think what resonated with us, just overall, is that this was about mental health. Help From Celebrities As Altadena Girls grew, it began attracting attention from prominent figures in Los Angeles. Celebrities including Paris Hilton, Kerry Washington, Gwyneth Paltrow, Max Greenfield, Tess Sanchez, Karla Welch, Mindy Kaling, and Jennifer Siebel Newsom played a role in amplifying the nonprofits mission. Meghan Markle and the Archewell Foundation were also instrumental in the organization’s success. Markle donated her own clothes and spent time carrying bags of supplies out to peoples cars, while the Archewell Foundation helped Altadena Girls secure the lease on its new building. They’re just so kind, and they have such a huge platform. It’s really cool seeing someone with that many fans and followers share something like this, says Colvert./p> In late January, Green Days Billie Joe Armstrong played a Los Angeles concert with his side project the Coverups at L.A.s Troubadour, with proceeds going to a number of relief organizations, Altadena Girls being one of them. Brands like Skims, Orebella, Huda Beauty, Rare Beauty, and R.e.m. Beauty also donated clothes and makeup to Altadena Girls. [Photo: courtesy Altadena Girls] Working as a Family This entire experience has brought Colvert’s family closer than ever. Since her school, Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, burned down in the fires, she has been attending remotelygiving the family more time together than they’ve had since the COVID-19 lockdowns. But this time, rather than feeling trapped and helpless, they’re all working to make Altadena Girls a permanent fixture. For Avery to be exposed to how much work goes into something like this, both on the floor, but also the meetings and negotiations and contracts, Im glad she gets to see how much work there is, Chait says. For Sandidge and Chait, it has been both eye-opening and rewarding to navigate this journey as life partners and now business partners. Seeing their daughter through others eyes has been especially meaningful. To see strengths that are not always recognized in a traditional school setting, to see people validate [Avery] and tell her, You are amazing, being a leader is good has been meaningful, Sandidge says, noting theyve been equally grateful to have all of these really strong, powerful women volunteers show up. [Photo: courtesy Altadena Girls] At first, people were eager to send checks and cash donations to support Altadena Girls, but without the proper infrastructure in place, it wasnt in a position to accept funds. Within days, it secured a fiscal sponsorship through the Edward Charles Foundation. With support from the Archewell Foundation, Altadena Girls set up a pledge link account, ensuring that every donation was properly documented as soon as it started accepting monetary funds. We didnt want to get any dollars to ourselves personally at all, so it wasnt until everything was locked and ready [that we started accepting monetary donations]. Now that is the best way for people to support us, Chait says. [Photo: courtesy Altadena Girls] Future Plans After addressing the immediate needs of the community, Colvert and her parents quickly realized they were ready to expand into something bigger. Two weeks later, when the headlines go away, there are long-term impacts that are mental and emotional and sometimes even financial,” says Chait. “I already started to see some of the other pop-ups around town closing their doors and moving on to the next thing.” With a vision for long-term impact, their realtor found them an empty location that used to be a bank in Old Town Pasadena, with enough space to have therapy rooms, music studios, and even a dance studio in the basement. [Photo: courtesy Altadena Girls] Im very excited about this because were going to offer dance, yoga, and movement. Were going to offer mental health resources. Were going to offer music practice areas, music lessons, Colvert says, noting that she was inspired to expand the offerings after the destruction of her own school meant that students no longer had access to dance, theater, or film classes. We have a big multipurpose space where lots of people want to give training and lectures and teach anything from cooking to hair to taxes. Colvert is passionate about providing resources that arent typically taught in schools. While creativity will be a big part of the space, there will also be classes focused on business and entrepreneurship. Personally . . . sometimes in school, I didnt feel as empowered. I felt brought down in certain areas,” she says. “And I want to just uplift girls.” Though the 12,000-square-foot space currently looks drab and gray, Colvert has big plans to transform it. With Pinterest boards, collages, and a wealth of ideas, she envisions a vibrant, welcoming spacepink and full of creativitythat will be perfect for the girls. As they work to transform the space, funding will be essential to making it happen. Weve got the product, weve got the partnerships, we also have a very big monthly bill when it comes to rent and utilities and even food for the volunteers and trash hauling, and all sorts of stuff. Right now, financial donations are what will allow us to move forward in the future, Chait says. The location is also ideal. On a busy, well-lit corner near a police station and high-end restaurants, the space is easily accessible by public transportation, and girls can be dropped off safely. This central location played a significant role in the decision to move forward. Altadena Girls expects to open its doors in late March or early April. “It’s going to feel special, feel clean, safe . . . like something different, Sandidge says. And hopefully we can send the message to all of these girls that they have worth and they deserve to have a nice, beautiful space.
Category:
E-Commerce
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