Since 2003, GCM has been working with communities in western New York to address toxic pollution from 53 industrial facilities neighboring families.

The introduction of community environmental monitoring and Bucket Brigades has helped the community gather evidence of environmental pollution and begin to win changes.

In 2009, the federal and state government raided the Tonawanda Coke facility which has been targeted since it released toxic benzene at levels 75 times higher than EPA standards. In 2011, the company committed to reducing its benzene emissions.

According to the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York:

A report from the NYS DEC in the fall of 2011 shows that benzene emissions in the neighborhood surrounding the plant have dropped 86%.

GCM continues to provide technical assistance to communities in Western New York in their fight for clean air.