About UNIDOS Network

  A comprehensive initiative designed to conduct detailed health, environmental, and social surveys within the unincorporated communities.  

This project aims to bridge the information gap by directly engaging with residents to gather critical data on their living conditions, environmental concerns, and health issues.

Farmworkers and low-income residents are disproportionately affected, often forced to rely on expensive for-profit ride service. This financial burden exacerbates economic instability in a community already struggling with poverty. This Program is designed to address these critical transportation issues, providing a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable solution that empowers Kettleman City residents.

 A Path to Self-Governance and Economic Justice

For decades, unincorporated communities like Kettleman City have  faced systemic neglect and environmental burdens without the ability to  control local decision-making. As an unincorporated area, Kettleman  City lacks a municipal government, meaning that critical decisions regarding public services, infrastructure, and economic development are made by county officials who do not live in the community and who have historically failed to prioritize its needs.

In December 2025, the  California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) was set to  review Waste Management’s permit renewal request for the Kettleman Hills hazardous waste landfill.  This landfill, one of the largest hazardous waste disposal sites in the  country, has long been a source of concern for residents due to its  proximity to homes and its potential impacts on public health and the  environment.

Thanks to the powerful testimony of UNIDOS Network Inc. and Kettleman City residents, the permit decision was postponed until an undetermined date in 2026. This delay ensures that, before any permit approval:

• Cumulative health impacts must be assessed to determine long-term risks to residents.

• Biological testing must be conducted to evaluate environmental damage caused by hazardous waste disposal.

• Economic impact studies must be completed to assess how the landfill affects local job opportunities, property values, and economic growth.

This victory underscores the power of organized community action and the importance of holding regulatory agencies accountable to those most affected by their decisions. UNIDOS Network Inc. remains committed to monitoring  the permit renewal process, advocating for stronger protections, and  ensuring that community concerns remain at the forefront of discussions..  

Air pollution has long been a concern for  rural communities burdened by industrial activity, heavy transportation  corridors, and agricultural emissions. Through our partnership with Aclima, UNIDOS Network Inc. is launching a mobile air quality monitoring project to gather precise data on pollution levels in Kettleman City.

• Community-Driven Monitoring: Residents, guided by UNIDOS Network, select the monitoring locations and types of sensors, ensuring that the data collected accurately reflects local concerns.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: The air monitoring system is housed inside an electric vehicle, allowing for real-time pollution measurement across different areas of the community.

• Transparency & Accountability: The collected data will be made accessible to the community, providing a basis for stronger environmental protections and policy change.

This project ensures that air quality monitoring is not just another bureaucratic exercise, but a tool for real change—one led by the community, for the community.

Rural communities have long suffered from high exposure to diesel pollution,  which contributes to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and other  chronic health conditions. UNIDOS Network Inc. is working to transition heavy-duty industrial equipment, semi-trucks, and other machinery to zero-emission electric alternatives.

• Reducing Harmful Emissions: Replacing diesel-powered vehicles with electric alternatives will lead to immediate improvements in air quality and public health.

• Creating Economic Opportunities: Investments in electric transportation will generate new jobs and training opportunities in the clean energy sector.

• Shaping Policy & Industry Standards: UNIDOS Network Inc. is working with government agencies and industry leaders to advocate for policies that incentivize clean energy transitions.

By pushing for electrification, we are ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in the clean energy movement, but are instead at the forefront of solutions that prioritize both health and economic sustainability.