Our Stories

The Latest by Jessica Hodge

National Communications Strategist

Jessica worked at Earthjustice from 2012–2018. She was based in the Washington, D.C., office, and worked with Earthjustice clients, partners and communities affected by dirty air to increase support for stronger national air standards.

The Arkema chemical plant, northeast of Houston, was engulfed in flames due to a loss of electricity caused by Hurricane Harvey. Toxic chemicals that were unable to be stored at the proper temperature, causing explosions that endangered
September 13, 2017

These Numbers Show the Danger of Trump’s Delay on the Chemical Disaster Rule

By Jessica Hodge  /  Washington, D.C. Office

A chemical plant disaster after Hurricane Harvey highlights the need for stronger chemical safety rules. But the Trump administration is delaying these critical protections.

Steve, Afton and May Surwillo talk to Rocio Rodarte, Legislative Aide for Colorado Senator Michael F. Bennet, during an Earthjustice clean air fly-in meeting in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C.
June 19, 2017

A Mom’s Battle Against Ozone

By Jessica Hodge  /  Policy and Legislation Team

Afton Surwillo is part of a broad coalition of moms, doctors and faith leaders speaking out against congressional efforts to weaken clean air protections.

As another school year begins, families watch out for asthma triggers in the classroom like dust or chemicals, new sports routines, and back to school jitters, all of which can bring on asthma attacks.
September 3, 2015

Back To School Asthma Update

By Jessica Hodge  /  Headquarters Office

As another school year begins, asthma triggers in the classroom like dust or chemicals, new sports routines and back-to-school jitters can bring on kids' asthma attacks.

A hot air balloon floats before the smoggy backdrop of California's Central Valley outside of Sacramento.
April 30, 2015

The Good, the Bad and the Smoggy

By Jessica Hodge  /  Washington, D.C. Office

Is the air you breathe putting you and your family at risk? Find out now, in this year’s State of the Air report.

Oscar Garcia and Kimberly Garcia of Reno, NV, hold a sign outside of the EPA's public hearing in Sacramento on proposed ozone standards.
March 13, 2015

Why I Skipped School for Clean Air

By Jessica Hodge  /  Headquarters Office

This blog was contributed by Kim Garcia, a high school senior, who traveled from Reno to Sacramento last month to testify at the EPA's proposed ozone rule hearings.

Asthma warriors
March 3, 2015

Take A Stand With The Asthma Warriors

By Jessica Hodge  /  Washington, D.C. Office

The Fight for Clean Air campaign is telling the stories of those who are most impacted by weak smog protections.

October 6, 2014

Could Your Child be in Danger From a Refinery or Chemical Disaster While At School?

By Jessica Hodge  /  Washington, D.C. Office

Could your child be in danger from a refinery or chemical disaster while at school? Find out: New interactive map and report from Center for Effective Government.

Jesse Marquez of the Coalition for a Safe Environment (third from left) shows EPA staffers and others a Wilmington oil refinery, shortly before the public hearing.
July 17, 2014

EPA Ears Filled With Toxic Refinery Stories

By Jessica Hodge  /  California Office

One sunny Wednesday in Wilmington, California, instead of spending the day at work or taking their kids to the beach, community members gathered to tell the Environmental Protection Agency what it is like living near large oil refineries.

Hilton Kelley stands in front of the Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, TX, in late November 2013.
February 18, 2014

Clean Air Ambassador Records Fight for Justice, Clean Air

By Jessica Hodge  /  Washington, D.C. Office

Taking his work to the next level, Clean Air Ambassador Hilton Kelley has completed a book, A Lethal Dose of Smoke And Mirrors: Going home for better or worse, that chronicles his decision to leave Hollywood and take on powerful industrial polluters in his hometown, Port Arthur, Texas. Hilton—the first African-American man to win the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize—tells how he single-handedly made great strides to improve the health and environment in Port Arthur.

An Exxon refinery in Louisiana.
November 12, 2013

See Something, Say Something

By Jessica Hodge  /  Washington, D.C. Office

November is Oil Industry Accident Awareness Month in Louisiana