Oakland airport faces legal challenges over expansion plans

Policy

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By Sky Industry News

Dec 23, 2024

Two lawsuits have been filed against the Port of Oakland, which operates the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK). These legal actions challenge the airport's expansion plans aimed at modernizing its existing terminal. Parts of this terminal have been in place for over six decades.

The Stop OAK Expansion Coalition has filed one of the lawsuits. The coalition argues that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) released by Oakland International Airport does not meet California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) standards. Although the EIR included a health risk assessment, the coalition is advocating for a more comprehensive health impact assessment to address inequalities affecting East Oakland's low-income neighborhoods. Paul English, a member of the coalition and former epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health, highlighted concerns about increased pollution from expanded airport operations. He stated, "By doing additional gates and increased airport traffic, these communities will be getting additional pollution in an area already overburdened by pollution."

In response to ABC 7 News regarding the lawsuit, the Port of Oakland stated, "The EIR is a product of years of careful study, community outreach and careful deliberation."

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Communities for a Better Environment filed the second lawsuit. Their claim focuses on what they describe as an inadequately defined expansion project that violates CEQA regulations. Sarah Chen, an attorney for Communities for a Better Environment, said, "CEQA exists precisely for situations like this... This instead is providing a changeable plan... which leaves to door open for the Port to make decisions in the dark later."

These lawsuits arise amid ongoing legal challenges concerning the renaming of OAK earlier in 2024 to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. The city attorney of San Francisco has initiated a federal trademark lawsuit against this name change.

San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport serves as one of three major airports in the San Francisco Bay Area alongside San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). In 2023, it processed over 11 million passengers, with Southwest Airlines accounting for more than 80% of this traffic.