Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars

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Why this Information Is Important: A Virginia Joint Subcommittee requires Norfolk Southern to submit annual reports on coal dust pollution, which it has done since the late 1990s. In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed a second resolution, acknowledging residents are "still suffering from coal dust blown from railroad cars." However, the Virginia General Assembly continues to decline to take any stronger, more protective action. See what Norfolk Southern has reported over time and how often Lambert's Point is mentioned and use these official documents as evidence to push for stronger protections and more effective dust‑control measures.

Attention: Activists and advocates, researchers, policymakers

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Overview

In accordance with the 1997 Virginia Senate Joint Resolution No. 257, railroad companies in Virginia are required to submit annual reports to the Virginia General Assembly on coal dust pollution that is blown from moving trains in Virginia. These reports must summarize efforts to identify and address fugitive coal dust emissions along Virginia's rail corridors.

  • Senate Joint Resolution No. 257: "although the joint subcommittee has not found legislative action by the General Assembly in this area to be either necessary or desirable at the present time, it is highly desirable that the General Assembly be kept abreast of actions by railroad companies and coal producers that may affect the amount of coal dust blown from moving trains so that timely action may be taken if such should prove necessary or desirable in the future."[1]

The Resolution only mentions Norfolk Southern and most reports discuss the Lambert's Point community by name. Reports highlight that measurements conducted by Norfolk Southern of fine particles (PM2.5) and course particles (PM10), also known as dust, do not exceed PM2.5 or PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). However, reports do not discuss coal dust in terms of nuisance issues or health impacts.

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 25, renewing and expanding reporting and other requirements, particularly increasing opportunities for residents to submit complaints. For example, publicizing Norfolk Southern's Dust Information Telephone Line, 1 (800) DUSTING. When a Repair Lab team member called that number in 2026, it did not reach Norfolk Southern. Instead, an automated voice promised a special offer, asked the caller's age, and seemed like the beginning of a scam.

  • House Joint Resolution 25: "Over 20 years after such prior resolution was passed, the problem with coal dust blown from moving trains still has not been resolved [...] Residents in the Commonwealth are still suffering from coal dust blown from railroad cars and, consequently, a threatened quality of life, and businesses are also being adversely affected [...] Reports indicate that the benefits of covering rail cars carrying coal dust and coal ash outweigh the cost."[2]

Resources and Materials: See for Yourself and Dig Deeper

1998 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, January 1999

1999 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, January 2000

2000 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, January 2001

2001 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, January 2002

2002 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, 2003

2003 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, January 2004

2004 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, January 2005

2005 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2006

2006 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2007

2007 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2008

2008 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2009

2009 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2010

2010 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2011

2011 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2012

2012 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2013

2013 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2014

2014 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2015

2015 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2016

2016 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2017

2017 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, March 2018

2018 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2019

2019 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257 and House Joint Resolution 25, Norfolk Southern Corporation, February 2020

2020 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257, Norfolk Southern Corporation, March 2021

2021 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257 and House Joint Resolution 25, Norfolk Southern Corporation, March 2022

2022 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257 and House Joint Resolution 25, Norfolk Southern Corporation, March 2023

2023 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257 and House Joint Resolution 25, Norfolk Southern Corporation, March 2024

2024 Annual Report to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars per Senate Resolution No. 257 and House Joint Resolution 25, Norfolk Southern Corporation, March 2025

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Sources

  1. ↑ Senate Joint Resolution No. 257, Virginia's Legislative Information System, 1997 Session.
  2. ↑ House Joint Resolution No. 25, Virginia's Legislative Information System, 2020 Session.
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