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= Railroad Monopolies =
== Railroad Companies in Hampton Roads ==
Monopolies, especially railroad monopolies, may be naturally occurring due to limited competition because the industry is resource intensive and requires substantial costs to operate.


The four major '''Class I railroads''' in the US are:
=== CSX ===
[[File:CSX-NN.jpg|alt=CSX Train and Tracks in Newport News. 2024.|thumb|CSX train and tracks toward Southeast Newport News, 2024.]]
[[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX Transportation]] ([[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]]) is a Class I freight railroad company operating across the eastern U.S., especially in and out of West Virginia.<ref>CSX, [https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/customers/maps/csx-system-map/ CSX System Map], 2025.</ref> The company was formed through a wave of railroad mergers, with its parent company, [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]] Corporation, now based in Jacksonville, Florida. [https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/company-overview/political-contributions/ CXS political contributions] are posted on their website as of 2025.


* BNSF Railway
[[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]] is one part of a duopoly with [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]]. In 2018, [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]] attempted to press monopoly charges against [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] because of their attempts to control the crucial Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line, of which [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] owns a slight majority.<ref>Wilner, [https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/for-competing-railroads-whats-new-is-old/ For Competing Railroads, What’s New Is Old], ''Railway Age'', Commentary, March 11, 2025.</ref><ref>McCabe, [https://www.ttnews.com/articles/csx-sues-norfolk-southern-short-line-railroad-over-alleged-monopoly CSX Sues Norfolk Southern, Short-Line Railroad Over Alleged Monopoly], ''The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot'', October 9, 2018.</ref>
* '''CSX Transportation (CSX)'''
* '''Norfolk Southern Railway (NSC)'''
* Union Pacific Railroad (UNP)


Through consolidations and mergers, the various railroads along the North American east coast had morphed into just two by the end of the last century: '''CSX''' and '''Norfolk Southern'''. These two railroads have a duopoly on the East Coast.
=== Norfolk Southern ===
[[File:NS-LP.jpg|alt=Norfolk Southern Train and Tracks in Lambert's Point. 2024. |thumb|Norfolk Southern train and tracks through Lambert's Point, 2024.]]
[[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern Corporation]] (abbreviated as [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] or NS) is a Class I freight railroad company based in the eastern U.S. It is one of the five biggest railroad operators in North America by revenue and one part of a duopoly with [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]]. Norfolk Southern operates in 22 states and Washington, D.C. Currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] was based in Norfolk, Virginia until 2021. Most of the company's revenue comes from the transportation of coal, coke, and iron ore. [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] is connected to the Corporation Political Action Committee (PAC) Norfolk Southern Good Government Fund, which publishes their [https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/commitments/in-your-community/government-relations/political-activity-and-contributions political contributions] bi-yearly as of 2025.  


Railroads were some of the first mega-corporations in the US and the world. The railroad monopolies had the power to set prices, exclude competitors, and control the market in several geographic areas. Although there was competition among railroads for long-haul routes, there was none for short-haul runs. Railroads discriminated in the prices they charged to passengers and shippers in different localities by providing rebates to large shippers or buyers. These practices were especially harmful to American farmers, who lacked the shipment volume necessary to obtain more favorable rates
Norfolk Southern was responsible for a high-profile train derailment, fire, and chemical release of toxic pollutants that included dioxin in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, 2023.<ref>Pilcher, [https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/epa-turns-to-legal-orders-to-force-norfolk-southern-to-clean-up-after-train-derailment-mike-dewine-east-palestine-ohio-pennsylvania-donald-trump-laws-railroads-water-quality-toxic-chemicals-health-clinics-attorney-general EPA Turns to Legal Orders to Force Norfolk Southern to Clean Up after Train Derailment], ''WKRC'', February 21, 2023.</ref> In March 2023, the [https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/home.aspx National Transportation Safety Board] announced a special investigation into Norfolk Southern's safety practices, as the accident in East Palestine was just one of a series of recent incidents involving the company.<ref>Jackson, [https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/ntsb-investigating-norfolk-southern-train-accidents/ NTSB Investigating Norfolk Southern Safety Practices After Series of Train Accidents], ''AboutLawsuits'', March 28, 2023.</ref> 


'''The Big Four''', a group of four investors, Leland Stanford, Collis P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker, orchestrated the first transcontinental railroad (Central Pacific Railroad) in the 1860s that laid the groundwork for one of the most comprehensive and oppressive monopolies in the history of America. The US government was heavily involved in the development of the transcontinental railroad, with Congress passing the '''Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862''' that gave government bonds and land grants to the railroad companies.  
== Coal Terminals in the Port of Virginia ==
The Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals are located in Southeast Newport News. Pier 6 is located between the Norfolk neighborhoods of Lambert's Point and Ghent, with Lambert's Point typically being on the downwind side. Together, these terminals export more coal through the Port of Virginia than is exported anywhere else in the U.S.<ref>U.S. Energy Information Administration, [https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=VA Virginia: State Profile and Energy Estimates], 2025.</ref> This coal is largely metallurgical coal, also known as cooking coal, from Central Appalachia. It is transported to Southeast Newport News by [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]] and to Lambert's Point by [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]].


Industrialist '''Collis Potter Huntington''', who is credited with developing Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company and the incorporation of Newport News, Virginia, as an independent city, was one of the Big Four. He invested in and led the development of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) (which became CSX), to connect Richmond, VA to the Ohio River by 1873. The goal then, as continues today, was to transport bituminous coal (mostly from West Virginia) to ships for global export. In 1881, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) extended its rail lines from Richmond to Newport News. Coal exports from Newport News, Virginia continue to be a major part of the city’s economy.
=== Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals and Dominion Terminal Associates ===
Kinder Morgan operates Pier IX and X, which sit adjacent to the Dominion Terminal. Dominion Terminal is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources and Core Natural Resources and operated by Dominion Terminal Associates. Coal is offloaded and stored in large piles before being loaded onto ships for export. The Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals have the capacity to store 1.4 million tons coal and export up to 16 million tons annually<ref>Kinder Morgan, [[:File:Mid-Atlantic-Pier-IX-X.pdf|Pier IX and X Terminals]].</ref> and use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment.


== Notable Railroad Monopoly Legislation ==
According to a 2014 report by the [https://www.sightline.org/research/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7CL-avqkoiwdfvIwOz_HNK8YKNI&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt8zABhDKARIsAHXuD7ZAE17OcOuiEGNErqT6e6wcY91Wm9DFLA5SOsVhwnBu5flmnQY0-94aAgGCEALw_wcB#subscribe Sightline Institute], Kinder Morgan's activities across North America include a record of pollution, bribery, labor violations and unsafe working conditions, fraud and theft, and pipeline failures resulting in deaths, felonies, and environmental damages.<ref>Sightline Institute, [[:File:Coal-Kinder-Morgan-April-12 final.pdf|The Facts about Kinder Morgan]], 2014.</ref>
'''1887''': The '''Interstate Commerce Act''' created an Interstate Commerce Commission to oversee the conduct of the railroad industry. With this act, the railroads became the first industry subject to Federal regulation. (The act was abolished in 1995 and remaining functions were transferred to the Surface Transportation Board).  


'''1890:''' The '''Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890''' is a United States antitrust law which prescribes the rule of free competition among those engaged in commerce and consequently prohibits unfair monopolies. The Act broadly prohibits anti-competitive agreements and unilateral conduct that monopolizes or attempts to monopolize the relevant markets, and gives the Department of Justice authorization to enforce it via lawsuits.  
=== Norfolk Southern ===
Owned and operated by Norfolk Southern, Pier 6 in Lambert's Point was built in 1962 (predating the U.S. Clean Air Act by eight years), although coal has been exported here since 1885. Norfolk Southern's Pier 6 is the largest coal export facility in the U.S. Coal carrying rail cars are loaded directly onto ships, rather than being stored in large staging piles as in Newport News.
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:Satellite Map of Newport News, 2025..png|Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:Google satellite map of the Dominion and Kinder Morgan terminals, 2025..png|Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:Google satellite map of the Norfolk Southern terminal in Norfolk, 2025..png|Satellite map (Google) of the Norfolk Southern Terminal in Lambert's Point
</gallery>
== Coal Ships ==
Ships are typically in port in Newport News and Norfolk for 2–5 days (possibly longer) for loading. There are records that 2–4 days are required to load large ships (for iron ore), with a minimum of 24 hours,<ref>Professional Mariner Forum, [https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/loading-a-panamax-bulk-carrier/4321 Loading a Panamax Bulk Carrier], June 2010.</ref> and three days round-the-clock for large container ships.<ref>Easy Relocated, [https://easyrelocated.com/how-is-a-bulk-carrier-loaded/#How_long_does_it_take_to_load_a_bulk_carrier How Is a Bulk Carrier Loaded?] June 24, 2022.</ref>


'''1899—1901''': First wave of mergers take place across the economy, forming mega trusts like Standard Oil.
It is not clear if loading is always continuous, but we speculate that ships avoid sitting at port longer than needed. Ships do arrive and depart from both cities overnight. Ships may not be able to load under inclement weather, which at least for petcoke, a similar material to coal, includes very hot days.<ref>Bulk Carrier Guide, [https://bulkcarrierguide.com/petcoak-loading.html Grain, Iron Ores, Minerals, Coal Carrier, Self Unloaders & More], 2010.</ref>


'''1906''': The Hepburn Act is a United States federal law that expanded the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and gave it the power to set maximum railroad rates. This led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers, and taking significant power away from railroads in an attempt to reduce price gouging.  
Bulk carriers used for coal transport include: Handymax, Panamax, and Capesize.<ref>Martide, [https://www.martide.com/en/blog/all-about-bulk-carriers Everything You Need to Know About Bulk Carriers], August 20, 2024.</ref> Because coal is shipped in covered holds, coal dust emissions during ocean transport are assumed to be minimal.<ref>Public Health Advisory Panel on Coal in Oakland, [[:File:7 - Volume VII.pdf|An Assessment of the Health and Safety Implications of Coal Transport through Oakland]], June 14, 2016.</ref>


'''1914''': The '''Clayton Antitrust Act''' defines unethical business practices, such as price fixing and monopolies, and upholds various rights of labor. It served to supplement and strengthen the Sherman Act and still has effects in modern legislation.
== Coal Companies ==
 
'''1976''': The federal government created '''Conrail''' to take over the potentially profitable lines of multiple bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and Erie Lackawanna Railway. The creation of Conrail was seen as evidence that US Railroads were no longer de facto monopolies in transportation. Conrail became privatized in 1987, after the Staggers act was passed and it began to turn a profit.
 
'''1980''': The '''Staggers Act''' is a US federal law that deregulated the American railroad industry to a significant extent. It replaced the regulatory structure that had existed since the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 and enabled the industry to reverse its previously declining share of the U.S. surface transportation industry.
 
'''1999''': '''Conrail''' is acquired and split roughly evenly by CSX Corporation (42% of assets) and the Norfolk Southern Railway (58% of assets). This solidified the duopoly of Norfolk Southern and CSX on the east coast, which has persisted since then.
 
== Railroad Unions ==
A labor union is an association of workers formed to negotiate collectively with an employer to protect and further workers’ rights and interests. The history of railroads is closely tied to a number of unions and strikes as well as specific legislation related to both.
 
=== ''The Great Railroad Strike of 1877'' ===
The Great Strike began on July 14 in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in response to the cutting of wages for the second time in a year by the B&O Railroad. The strike, and related violence, spread to Cumberland, Maryland, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Chicago and the Midwest. The strike lasted for 45 days, and ended only with the intervention of local and state militias, and federal troops. This was the first strike of its kind, and led to further labor unrest that continued into the 1880s, such as the Great Southwest Railroad Strike of 1886 involving over 200,000 workers.
 
=== ''Racialization of Unions'' ===
The skilled trades still were overwhelmingly native-born white Protestant males in the 19th century; and because they earned relatively higher wages, they were able to pay dues for strike funds, sick pay, unemployment assistance and burial insurance. They were reluctant to organize with unskilled (usually Irish and Italian) Catholic immigrants.
 
Likewise, the segregation of the railroad brotherhoods for much of their history meant that a parallel network of unions emerged to serve the interests of black railway workers.
 
= Norfolk Southern =
----'''Norfolk Southern''' '''Corporation''' (abbreviated as NS) is a Class I freight railroad operating in the Eastern United States, and is one of the five biggest railroad operators in North America by revenue. It operates in 22 states and in Washington, D.C, and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA (though it was based in Norfolk, VA until 2021). Most of Norfolk Southern's revenues come from the transportation of coal, coke, and iron ore. The railway's predecessors date back to the 1830s. NS is one part of a duopoly (with CSX) of railroad companies across the Eastern US.
 
Norfolk Southern Corporation is connected to the Corporation Political Action Committee (PAC) '''Norfolk Southern Good Government Fund,''' which publishes their contributions bi-yearly as of 2025'''.'''
 
= CSX =
----'''CSX Transportation''' (or CXS) is a Class I freight railroad company operating across the east coast from a variety of coal sources (most in West Virginia) and companies. Similar to Norfolk Southern, the company was formed via a wave of mergers, and it accounts for about half of the eastern coast duopoly. The railroad company is a rival of Norfolk Southern.
 
The parent company, CSX Corporation, is based in Jacksonville, Florida. CXS political contributions are posted on their website as of 2025.
 
= Coal and Railroads in Newport News and Hampton Roads =
Both '''Kinder Morgan’s Pier IX and 10''' and '''Dominion Terminal''' are based in Newport News, with '''Pier 6 at Lamberts Point''' across the water in Hampton Roads. Together, these three terminals represent 23% of all coal export capacity in the US, handling 35% of all US coal exports in 2019.
 
=== ''Lamberts Point Terminal'' ===
'''Pier 6 at Lamberts Point''', in operation since 1885, is the largest coal export facility in the U.S., and owned and operated by Norfolk Southern.
 
=== ''Southeast Community Terminals'' ===
The CSX railroad carries coal down the Peninsula to two privately-owned coal terminals in Newport News. The Southeast Community coal terminals '''(Kinder Morgan’s Pier IX and X,''' and '''Dominion Terminal''') began operations in the 1880s and currently have two operators — Kinder Morgan and Dominion Terminal Associates. Kinder Morgan can ship about 16 million tons per year, and the Dominion Terminal (owned by '''Alpha Metallurgical Resources''' and '''Core Natural Resources)''' moves up to 22 million tons of coal each year.


=== ''Dominion Terminal Associates'' ===
=== Alpha Metallurgical Resources ===
The company that runs Dominion Terminal, is owned in part (65%) by Alpha and Contura, two coal mining giants that merged in 2018, and 35% by Arch Coal Inc. The terminal is served by CSX Transportation.  
[https://alphametresources.com/ Alpha Metallurgical Resources] (formerly known as Contura Energy) is a Tennessee-based mining company that extracts, processes, and markets steam and metallurgical coal. It operates across Central Appalachia.<ref>[https://alphametresources.com/about/ Alpha Metallurgical Resources], 2025.</ref>   


== Response to Environmental Hazards: Coal Dust ==
=== Core Natural Resources ===
See: '''page link?'''
[https://corenaturalresources.com/ Core Natural Resources] (previously Arch Resources, or Arch Coal) is the second-largest supplier of coal in the United States, with 11 active mines. In August 2024, Arch Resources and Consol Energy announced that they entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create Core Natural Resources. source. In January 2025, the merger was successfully completed.<ref>Core, [https://corenaturalresources.com/products/ Coal Products], 2025.</ref>


== Railroad Monopolies in Southeast Virginia ==
=== United Coal ===
In 2018, CSX attempted to press monopoly charges on NS, based on their attempted monopolization of crucial “belt-line” railroad, the NPBL (Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad), that connects various tracks on the way to the Norfolk International Terminals (NIT). The suit alleged “NS and the NPBL have used the NPBL as a chess piece to establish and maintain NS’ monopolistic control over intermodal transportation in and out of [Norfolk International Terminals] by making it practically impossible for any other rail carriers to provide intermodal service to NIT”. NS owns a 57% majority of NPBL and CSX the remaining 43%.<ref>https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/for-competing-railroads-whats-new-is-old/</ref><ref>https://www.ttnews.com/articles/csx-sues-norfolk-southern-short-line-railroad-over-alleged-monopoly</ref>
[https://ucc.metinvestholding.com/en-us/ United Coal] is a producer of coking coal located in Central Appalachia that owns several mines in West Virginia, including in Affinity and East Gulf. In 2009, the Ukrainian business group, Metinvest, purchased the company for an estimated $1 billion<ref>[https://minedocs.com/22/UCC-Metinvest-CP-12312019.pdf United Coal Company], 2019.</ref>.


== Coal Companies ==
== Documents ==
'''Core Natural Resources''' (previously Arch Resources, or Arch Coal) is the second-largest supplier of coal in the United States, with 11 active mines. In August 2024, Arch Resources and Consol Energy announced that they entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create Core Natural Resources. source. In January 2025, the merger was successfully completed.<ref>https://corenaturalresources.com/products/</ref>


'''Alpha Metallurgical Resources''' (formerly known as Contura Energy) is a is a Tennessee-based mining company that extracts, processes, and markets steam and metallurgical coal. It operates across Central Appalachia.<ref>https://alphametresources.com/about/</ref>       
* [[:File:Printable System Map.pdf|CSX, CSX System Map, 2025]]
* [[:File:Coal-Kinder-Morgan-April-12 final.pdf|Sightline Institute, The Facts about Kinder Morgan, 2014]]
* [[:File:Mid-Atlantic-Pier-IX-X.pdf|Kinder Morgan, Pier IX and X Terminals]]
* [[:File:7 - Volume VII.pdf|Public Health Advisory Panel on Coal in Oakland, An Assessment of the Health and Safety Implications of Coal Transport through Oakland, June 14, 2016]]
* [[Repair Lab]] with Support from [https://www.southwings.org/ SouthWings], Southeast Newport News, 2023 Ariel Photographs
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:NN terminal 1.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 2.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 3.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 4.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 5.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 6.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 7.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 8.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 9.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 10.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 11.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 12.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 13.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 14.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 15.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 16.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 17.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 18.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 21.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 20.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
</gallery>
* [[Repair Lab]] with Support from [https://www.southwings.org/ SouthWings], Lambert's Point, 2023 Ariel Photographs
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:LP terminal 1.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 2.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 3.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 4.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 5.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 6.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 7.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 8.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 9.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 10.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 11.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 12.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 13.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 14.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 15.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 16.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 17.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 18.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
</gallery>


'''United Coal''' is a producer of coking coal located in the Central Appalachian region of the United States. United Coal owns several mines in West Virginia, including in Affinity, WV and East Gulf, WV. In 2009, Ukrainian business group Metinvest, controlled by Rinat Akhmetov (a Ukrainian billionaire and businessman), purchased the company for an estimated $1 billion<ref>https://minedocs.com/22/UCC-Metinvest-CP-12312019.pdf</ref>.
== References ==

Latest revision as of 19:43, 5 June 2025

Railroad Companies in Hampton Roads

CSX

CSX Train and Tracks in Newport News. 2024.
CSX train and tracks toward Southeast Newport News, 2024.

CSX Transportation (CSX) is a Class I freight railroad company operating across the eastern U.S., especially in and out of West Virginia.[1] The company was formed through a wave of railroad mergers, with its parent company, CSX Corporation, now based in Jacksonville, Florida. CXS political contributions are posted on their website as of 2025.

CSX is one part of a duopoly with Norfolk Southern. In 2018, CSX attempted to press monopoly charges against Norfolk Southern because of their attempts to control the crucial Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line, of which Norfolk Southern owns a slight majority.[2][3]

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Train and Tracks in Lambert's Point. 2024.
Norfolk Southern train and tracks through Lambert's Point, 2024.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (abbreviated as Norfolk Southern or NS) is a Class I freight railroad company based in the eastern U.S. It is one of the five biggest railroad operators in North America by revenue and one part of a duopoly with CSX. Norfolk Southern operates in 22 states and Washington, D.C. Currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Norfolk Southern was based in Norfolk, Virginia until 2021. Most of the company's revenue comes from the transportation of coal, coke, and iron ore. Norfolk Southern is connected to the Corporation Political Action Committee (PAC) Norfolk Southern Good Government Fund, which publishes their political contributions bi-yearly as of 2025.

Norfolk Southern was responsible for a high-profile train derailment, fire, and chemical release of toxic pollutants that included dioxin in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, 2023.[4] In March 2023, the National Transportation Safety Board announced a special investigation into Norfolk Southern's safety practices, as the accident in East Palestine was just one of a series of recent incidents involving the company.[5]

Coal Terminals in the Port of Virginia

The Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals are located in Southeast Newport News. Pier 6 is located between the Norfolk neighborhoods of Lambert's Point and Ghent, with Lambert's Point typically being on the downwind side. Together, these terminals export more coal through the Port of Virginia than is exported anywhere else in the U.S.[6] This coal is largely metallurgical coal, also known as cooking coal, from Central Appalachia. It is transported to Southeast Newport News by CSX and to Lambert's Point by Norfolk Southern.

Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals and Dominion Terminal Associates

Kinder Morgan operates Pier IX and X, which sit adjacent to the Dominion Terminal. Dominion Terminal is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources and Core Natural Resources and operated by Dominion Terminal Associates. Coal is offloaded and stored in large piles before being loaded onto ships for export. The Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals have the capacity to store 1.4 million tons coal and export up to 16 million tons annually[7] and use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment.

According to a 2014 report by the Sightline Institute, Kinder Morgan's activities across North America include a record of pollution, bribery, labor violations and unsafe working conditions, fraud and theft, and pipeline failures resulting in deaths, felonies, and environmental damages.[8]

Norfolk Southern

Owned and operated by Norfolk Southern, Pier 6 in Lambert's Point was built in 1962 (predating the U.S. Clean Air Act by eight years), although coal has been exported here since 1885. Norfolk Southern's Pier 6 is the largest coal export facility in the U.S. Coal carrying rail cars are loaded directly onto ships, rather than being stored in large staging piles as in Newport News.

  • Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Satellite map (Google) of the Norfolk Southern Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Satellite map (Google) of the Norfolk Southern Terminal in Lambert's Point

Coal Ships

Ships are typically in port in Newport News and Norfolk for 2–5 days (possibly longer) for loading. There are records that 2–4 days are required to load large ships (for iron ore), with a minimum of 24 hours,[9] and three days round-the-clock for large container ships.[10]

It is not clear if loading is always continuous, but we speculate that ships avoid sitting at port longer than needed. Ships do arrive and depart from both cities overnight. Ships may not be able to load under inclement weather, which at least for petcoke, a similar material to coal, includes very hot days.[11]

Bulk carriers used for coal transport include: Handymax, Panamax, and Capesize.[12] Because coal is shipped in covered holds, coal dust emissions during ocean transport are assumed to be minimal.[13]

Coal Companies

Alpha Metallurgical Resources

Alpha Metallurgical Resources (formerly known as Contura Energy) is a Tennessee-based mining company that extracts, processes, and markets steam and metallurgical coal. It operates across Central Appalachia.[14] 

Core Natural Resources

Core Natural Resources (previously Arch Resources, or Arch Coal) is the second-largest supplier of coal in the United States, with 11 active mines. In August 2024, Arch Resources and Consol Energy announced that they entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create Core Natural Resources. source. In January 2025, the merger was successfully completed.[15]

United Coal

United Coal is a producer of coking coal located in Central Appalachia that owns several mines in West Virginia, including in Affinity and East Gulf. In 2009, the Ukrainian business group, Metinvest, purchased the company for an estimated $1 billion[16].

Documents

  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point

References

  1. ↑ CSX, CSX System Map, 2025.
  2. ↑ Wilner, For Competing Railroads, What’s New Is Old, Railway Age, Commentary, March 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ McCabe, CSX Sues Norfolk Southern, Short-Line Railroad Over Alleged Monopoly, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot, October 9, 2018.
  4. ↑ Pilcher, EPA Turns to Legal Orders to Force Norfolk Southern to Clean Up after Train Derailment, WKRC, February 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ Jackson, NTSB Investigating Norfolk Southern Safety Practices After Series of Train Accidents, AboutLawsuits, March 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ U.S. Energy Information Administration, Virginia: State Profile and Energy Estimates, 2025.
  7. ↑ Kinder Morgan, Pier IX and X Terminals.
  8. ↑ Sightline Institute, The Facts about Kinder Morgan, 2014.
  9. ↑ Professional Mariner Forum, Loading a Panamax Bulk Carrier, June 2010.
  10. ↑ Easy Relocated, How Is a Bulk Carrier Loaded? June 24, 2022.
  11. ↑ Bulk Carrier Guide, Grain, Iron Ores, Minerals, Coal Carrier, Self Unloaders & More, 2010.
  12. ↑ Martide, Everything You Need to Know About Bulk Carriers, August 20, 2024.
  13. ↑ Public Health Advisory Panel on Coal in Oakland, An Assessment of the Health and Safety Implications of Coal Transport through Oakland, June 14, 2016.
  14. ↑ Alpha Metallurgical Resources, 2025.
  15. ↑ Core, Coal Products, 2025.
  16. ↑ United Coal Company, 2019.
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