NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The 7.5-acre proposal for a rail fuel transfer station has been a lightning rod in the city of National City — a community where residents have complained about overly industrialized businesses they say pollute the air to make profits.
“It’s not fair that our children who primarily live in this area –Hispanic and Filipino–suffer more from asthma,” said Dr. Vi Thuy Nguyen, a pediatrician from Keiser Permanente.
“Our city is not a dumping ground. We are a thriving community, and we will fight to protect our children, or health and our future,” said a protestor in opposition of the rail fuel transfer station.
The USD Clean Fuels Project is planning to bring in diesel and biodiesel fuel, arguing the use of trains will cut down on the pollution from trucks.
The $243 million project has received support from union workers who see 65 new jobs with yearly pay at roughly $5.3 million between the workers.
But residents say they are tired of people using their community for profits while their elementary school, roughly half a mile away, deals with even more pollution.
“Would this discussion be had if we were in Coronado? No. Then why in National City?” questioned Michelle Gates, the president of the local school board.
The vote is expected by Wednesday, Oct. 8.
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