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Welcome to Voices in the Dust––a living, community archive for action supporting current and future activists in the fight against [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] pollution and for [[environmental justice]] in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point, Norfolk. ''Voices in the Dust is a work in progress.'' | Welcome to Voices in the Dust––a living, community archive for action supporting current and future activists in the fight against [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] pollution and for [[environmental justice]] in [[Southeast Newport News]] and Lambert's Point, Norfolk. ''Voices in the Dust is a work in progress.'' | ||
== Explore Voices in the Dust == | == Explore Voices in the Dust == | ||
<imagemap> | <imagemap> | ||
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* The Garden-Shores Civic League write a letter to the City of Newport News complaining about [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] pollution believed to be "uncombusted coal blown from the railways' two coal dumping piers."<ref>[https://voicesinthedust.org/File:Daily_Press_1954_04_12_Page_3.pdf Newport News to Analyze Smoke and Soot Nuisance in Garden-Shores Sector], ''Daily Press'', April 4, 1954.</ref> | * The Garden-Shores Civic League write a letter to the City of Newport News complaining about [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] pollution believed to be "uncombusted coal blown from the railways' two coal dumping piers."<ref>[https://voicesinthedust.org/File:Daily_Press_1954_04_12_Page_3.pdf Newport News to Analyze Smoke and Soot Nuisance in Garden-Shores Sector], ''Daily Press'', April 4, 1954.</ref> | ||
* The City of Newport News hires a chemical engineering firm to [[Local air monitoring|measure the amount of coal in airborne particles]], who find that at least in one location 45% of airborne dust was coal.<ref>[[:File:Daily Press 1956 12 04 Page 5.pdf|Council]], ''Daily Press'', December 4, 1956.</ref><ref name=":0">[[:File:Daily Press 1956 12 12 Page 3.pdf|C&O to Install Costly Equipment for Control of Air Pollution in NN]], ''Daily Press'', December 12, 1956.</ref> | * The City of Newport News hires a chemical engineering firm to [[Local air monitoring|measure the amount of coal in airborne particles]], who find that at least in one location 45% of airborne dust was coal.<ref>[[:File:Daily Press 1956 12 04 Page 5.pdf|Council]], ''Daily Press'', December 4, 1956.</ref><ref name=":0">[[:File:Daily Press 1956 12 12 Page 3.pdf|C&O to Install Costly Equipment for Control of Air Pollution in NN]], ''Daily Press'', December 12, 1956.</ref> | ||
* The air monitoring study prompts the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railroad Company to install equipment to create a [[Chemical | * The air monitoring study prompts the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railroad Company to install equipment to create a [[Chemical dust suppression: water sprinklers and chemical sealants|water fog over the coal piers to suppress dust]]<ref name=":0" /> and led Newport News City Council to pass an air pollution ordinance.<ref>[[:File:Daily Press 1956 12 18 Page 3.pdf|Council Gets Air Pollution Control Plan]], ''Daily Press'', December 18, 1956.</ref> | ||
=== 1970s === | === 1970s === | ||
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* The City of Newport News overturns its air pollution ordinance. | * The City of Newport News overturns its air pollution ordinance. | ||
* A significant increase in formal complaints about [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] from local residents, including the first recorded [[Coal dust complaints|complaint]] from Lambert's Point, Norfolk. | * A significant increase in formal complaints about [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] from local residents, including the first recorded [[Coal dust complaints|complaint]] from Lambert's Point, Norfolk. | ||
* [[Chemical | * [[Chemical dust suppression: water sprinklers and chemical sealants|Dust suppressing sprinkler systems]] are installed at [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|coal terminals]] in response to community concerns. | ||
* The [[Virginia Air Pollution Control Board]] begins monitoring airborne [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] and takes initial steps to regulate [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] emissions. | * The [[Virginia Air Pollution Control Board]] begins monitoring airborne [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] and takes initial steps to regulate [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] emissions. | ||
| Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
* In 2024, Adrian Wood releases [https://coaldustkills.wpcomstaging.com/?p=6400 Crosswinds], a multi-episode podcast exploring the [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] issues through the friendship of local activists, Lathaniel Kirts and Malcolm Jones. | * In 2024, Adrian Wood releases [https://coaldustkills.wpcomstaging.com/?p=6400 Crosswinds], a multi-episode podcast exploring the [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] issues through the friendship of local activists, Lathaniel Kirts and Malcolm Jones. | ||
* The Repair Lab and [https://aahsnn.wildapricot.org/ African American History Society of Newport News] begin work on a digital archive documenting decades of [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] activism and [[environmental justice]] efforts in Virginia. | * The Repair Lab and [https://aahsnn.wildapricot.org/ African American History Society of Newport News] begin work on a digital archive documenting decades of [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] activism and [[environmental justice]] efforts in Virginia. | ||
== History == | |||
* [[Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court and their demolition|Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court and Their Demolition]] | |||
* [[Institutionalization of Environmental Justice in Virginia]] | |||
* Lambert's Point, Norfolk | |||
* [[Southeast Newport News]] | |||
== Evidence == | == Evidence == | ||
| Line 80: | Line 87: | ||
=== Regulatory Agencies === | === Regulatory Agencies === | ||
* U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | * [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)]] | ||
* Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) | * [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)]] | ||
* Virginia Department of Health (VDH) | * [[Virginia Department of Health (VDH)]] | ||
* Virginia Air Pollution Control Board | * [[Virginia Air Pollution Control Board]] | ||
=== Government Bodies === | === Government Bodies === | ||
* [[ | * [[Newport News City Council]] | ||
* [[Norfolk City Council]] | |||
* [[State Legislature and General Assembly|Virginia State Legislature (Also Known as the General Assembly)]] | * [[State Legislature and General Assembly|Virginia State Legislature (Also Known as the General Assembly)]] | ||
* [[Virginia Council on Environmental Justice ( FKA Environmental Justice Advisory Board|Virginia Council on Environmental Justice (Formerly Known as the Environmental Justice Advisory Board]]) | * [[Virginia Council on Environmental Justice ( FKA Environmental Justice Advisory Board|Virginia Council on Environmental Justice (Formerly Known as the Environmental Justice Advisory Board]]) | ||
| Line 102: | Line 110: | ||
=== Industries === | === Industries === | ||
* [[Companies | * [[Railroad Companies|Railroads in Hampton Roads]] | ||
* [[Coal Terminals in the Port of Virginia]] | |||
* [[Coal Companies]] | |||
== Solutions == | == Solutions == | ||
* [[ | * [[Wet Dust Suppression]] | ||
* [[Covering the Train Cars and Dumpers]] | * [[Covering the Train Cars and Dumpers|Railcar Covers and Lids]] | ||
* [[Wind Fences | * [[Wind Fences and Tree Barriers]] | ||
* [[Wind Domes]] | |||
== Policy == | == Policy == | ||
| Line 115: | Line 126: | ||
* [[Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars]] | * [[Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars]] | ||
* [[Local Regulations]] | * [[Local Regulations]] | ||
* [[Regulation under the Clean Air Act| | * [[Regulation under the Clean Air Act|The Clean Air Act]] | ||
* [[State Regulations]] | * [[State Regulations]] | ||
* [[Railroad Regulations|Regulations on Railroads (FRA and STC)]] | |||
== Organizing == | == Organizing == | ||
Latest revision as of 01:11, 15 July 2025
Welcome to Voices in the Dust––a living, community archive for action supporting current and future activists in the fight against coal dust pollution and for environmental justice in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point, Norfolk. Voices in the Dust is a work in progress.
Explore Voices in the Dust
Timeline of Key Events in Coal Dust Activism
1920s
- An article in Newport News' Daily Press describes the use of sprinklers to "minimize damage and discomfort arising from large quantities of coal dust in the air."[1]
1950s
- The Garden-Shores Civic League write a letter to the City of Newport News complaining about coal dust pollution believed to be "uncombusted coal blown from the railways' two coal dumping piers."[2]
- The City of Newport News hires a chemical engineering firm to measure the amount of coal in airborne particles, who find that at least in one location 45% of airborne dust was coal.[3][4]
- The air monitoring study prompts the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railroad Company to install equipment to create a water fog over the coal piers to suppress dust[4] and led Newport News City Council to pass an air pollution ordinance.[5]
1970s
- Jessie Rattley, the first Black mayor of Newport News, and other local leaders have discussions around coal dust mitigation.
- Linwood DeBrew and community members begin organizing around coal dust pollution issues.
1980s
- The City of Newport News overturns its air pollution ordinance.
- A significant increase in formal complaints about coal dust from local residents, including the first recorded complaint from Lambert's Point, Norfolk.
- Dust suppressing sprinkler systems are installed at coal terminals in response to community concerns.
- The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board begins monitoring airborne coal dust and takes initial steps to regulate coal dust emissions.
1990s
- The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) is formally established in In 1990, with coal dust regulation becoming a priority issue.
- Representative Dick Cranwell sponsors a bill requiring Norfolk Southern to report air quality and coal dust emissions.
- The 1993 RISE, Inc. v. Kay lawsuit challenges a landfill siting in King and Queen County citing environmental racism, further shaping the conversation around environmental justice in Virginia.
2000s
- The Southeast Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Coalition, then led by Dr. Erica Holloman, Linwood DeBrew, and Angela Harris, intensifies organizing efforts around coal dust pollution and environmental racism in Southeast Newport News.
- In 2002, the Southeast CARE Coalition formally pushes for investigations into the health impacts of coal dust, collaborating with the U.S. EPA.
2010s
- The Southeast CARE Coalition and U.S. EPA report is released: A Collaborative Effort to Assess Environmental Health in Newport News, Virginia
- Increased activism in Lambert's Point under the slogan Cover the Coal, led by New Virginia Majority and the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, and supported by academic researchers like Dr. Anna Jeng from Old Dominion University, highlights the need for stronger air quality monitoring and regulatory measures.
- Planning grants are secured to explore coal dust solutions; coal dust-related petitions are circulated.
2020s
- In 2020, the Virginia Environmental Justice Act is passed, with the state government committing to integrate environmental justice principles into decision-making.
- The VA DEQ secures funding for the Tidewater Air Monitoring Evaluation (TAME) to track coal dust levels in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point in 2020, with data collection yet to start.
- The Repair Lab Coal Dust Kills effort begins interviewing residents affected by coal dust pollution in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point, monitoring ambient dust concentrations, and sampling dust inside residents home to identify evidence of coal dust exposure.
- In 2024, Adrian Wood releases Crosswinds, a multi-episode podcast exploring the coal dust issues through the friendship of local activists, Lathaniel Kirts and Malcolm Jones.
- The Repair Lab and African American History Society of Newport News begin work on a digital archive documenting decades of coal dust activism and environmental justice efforts in Virginia.
History
- Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court and Their Demolition
- Institutionalization of Environmental Justice in Virginia
- Lambert's Point, Norfolk
- Southeast Newport News
Evidence
Testimonials
Research
- Air Monitoring (General)
- Air Monitoring (Local)
- Health Impacts: Particles and Coal Dust (General)
- Tidewater Air Monitoring Evaluation (TAME)
- VOICES Network: Voices Organizing In opposition to Coal dust with Environmental Sensing
Actors
Regulatory Agencies
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)
- Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- Virginia Air Pollution Control Board
Government Bodies
- Newport News City Council
- Norfolk City Council
- Virginia State Legislature (Also Known as the General Assembly)
- Virginia Council on Environmental Justice (Formerly Known as the Environmental Justice Advisory Board)
Community and Activist Organizations
- East End Coalition
- Empower All
- New Virginia Majority
- Repair Lab
- Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
- Southeast CARE Coalition
Industries
Solutions
Policy
- Federal and State Terminal Permits
- Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars
- Local Regulations
- The Clean Air Act
- State Regulations
- Regulations on Railroads (FRA and STC)
Organizing
- Activism Outside of Hampton Roads
- Campaigns and Initiatives in Hampton Roads
- Community Events
About Voices in the Dust and Getting Started
- Voices in the Dust
- Get Involved
References
- ↑ Railroads of Port Adopt Coal Sprinkle: Growing Demand for Sprinkled Coal Said to Be Made by Trans-Shippers, Daily Press, November 23, 1927.
- ↑ Newport News to Analyze Smoke and Soot Nuisance in Garden-Shores Sector, Daily Press, April 4, 1954.
- ↑ Council, Daily Press, December 4, 1956.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 C&O to Install Costly Equipment for Control of Air Pollution in NN, Daily Press, December 12, 1956.
- ↑ Council Gets Air Pollution Control Plan, Daily Press, December 18, 1956.