MEDIA ADVISORY: Bloomberg Launches $85 Million Campaign to Support Frontline Communities in the Fight to Stop Petrochemical Pollution

(WASHINGTON — Sept. 21, 2022) Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched Beyond Petrochemicals: People Over Pollution, a new campaign to partner with frontline community groups to stop the rapid expansion of petrochemical and plastic pollution in the United States.  

“The leadership of frontline communities has brought us to this moment of seeing the real impact of the petrochemical industry on people’s lives,” said Heather McTeer Toney, Vice President of Community Engagement at Environmental Defense Fund. “This significant investment in environmental justice from Bloomberg Philanthropies will amplify the work that frontline community leaders have been doing for years to fight back against polluters. Environmental Defense Fund is honored to work alongside our partners on this initiative, adding value to community efforts to secure a just, equitable and healthy future for all.” 

Beyond Petrochemicals will support community-led campaigns against over 120 different proposed petrochemical projects, delivering resources that community groups have needed for decades and building national momentum from recent community-led success. This is an important opportunity to connect community groups on the ground to the powerful resources that the Beyond Petrochemicals campaign will offer. As part of this campaign, EDF will continue to support community-based organizations with technical resources in a highly collaborative effort to achieve locally driven solutions.   

“As we’ve seen in Louisiana, community organizations have the insight and experience to win fights against major petrochemical polluters,” said Dionne Delli-Gatti, Associate Vice President of Community Engagement at EDF. “With Bloomberg’s support, community organizations are getting the resources they need to lead the fight for healthy, safe communities and build on monumental, community-led success.” 

Heather McTeer Toney is EDF’s Vice President of Community Engagement and a former regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. She also served as the first African American, first female and youngest mayor of Greenville, Mississippi. Dionne Delli-Gatti is EDF’s Associate Vice President of Community Engagement and the former State Clean Energy Director of North Carolina. They are available to respond to questions and inquiries. If you are interested in setting up an interview, please contact Lexi Ambrogi.