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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.]]
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.  
 
== Explore Voices in the Dust ==
== Explore Voices in the Dust ==
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== Timeline of Key Events in Coal Dust Activism ==
== Timeline of Key Events in Coal Dust Activism ==
=== 1920s ===
* An [[Media|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."<ref>[[:File:Daily Press 1927 11 23 Page 2.pdf|Railroads of Port Adopt Coal Sprinkle: Growing demand for Sprinkled Coal Said to Be Made by Trans-Shippers]], ''Daily Press'', November 23, 1927.</ref>
=== 1950s ===
* The Garden-Shore Civic League wrote 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."<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 hired a chemical engineering firm to [[Local air monitoring|measure the amount of coal in airborne particles]], who found 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 prompted the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railroad Company to install equipment to create a 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 ===


* Jessie Radley, the first Black mayor of Newport News, and other local leaders begin early discussions around coal dust mitigation.
* Jessie Rattley, the first Black mayor of Newport News, and other local leaders begin early discussions around coal dust mitigation.
* Linwood DeBrew and other community members begin organizing around coal dust pollution issues.
* Linwood DeBrew and other community members begin organizing around coal dust pollution issues.
* Formal complaints about coal dust are first reported at civic league meetings in the late 1970s and early 1980s.


=== 1980s ===
=== 1980s ===


* The City of Newport News overturns its air pollution ordinance.
* Dust suppressing sprinkler systems are installed at coal terminals in response to community concerns.
* Dust suppressing sprinkler systems are installed at coal terminals in response to community concerns.
* A significant increase in formal complaints about coal dust from local residents, including the first recorded complaint from Lambert's Point, Norfolk.
* A significant increase in formal complaints about coal dust from local residents, including the first recorded complaint from Lambert's Point, Norfolk.
* The [[Regulatory Agencies#Virginia Air Pollution Control Board|Virginia Air Pollution Control Board]] begins monitoring coal dust emissions and takes initial steps to regulate coal dust control.
* The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board begins monitoring coal dust emissions and takes initial steps to regulate coal dust control.


=== 1990s ===
=== 1990s ===


* In 1990, the [[Regulatory Agencies#Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)|Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)]] is formally established, with coal dust regulation becoming a priority issue.
* In 1990, the [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)]] is formally established, with coal dust regulation becoming a priority issue.
* [https://history.house.virginia.gov/members/8916 Representative Dick Cranwell] sponsors a bill requiring Norfolk Southern to report air quality and coal dust emissions.
* [https://history.house.virginia.gov/members/8916 Representative Dick Cranwell] sponsors a bill requiring Norfolk Southern to report air quality and coal dust emissions.
* The 1993 [https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/768/1144/2364908/ 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.
* The 1993 [https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/768/1144/2364908/ 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.
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=== 2000s ===
=== 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.
* The [[Southeast CARE Coalition|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, ultimately collaborating with the [[Regulatory Agencies#U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)|U.S. EPA]].
* In 2002, the [[Southeast CARE Coalition]] formally pushes for investigations into the health impacts of coal dust, collaborating with the U.S. EPA.


=== 2010s ===
=== 2010s ===


* The demolition of Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court in Newport News sparks debates about land use and environmental justice, with a push to address nearby brownfield sites.
* The [[Southeast CARE Coalition]] and U.S. EPA report is released: [[:File:A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA FINAL.PDF|A Collaborative Effort to Assess Environmental Health in Newport News, Virginia]]
* The Southeast CARE Coalition and [[Regulatory Agencies#U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)|U.S. EPA]] report is released: [[:File:A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA FINAL.PDF|A Collaborative Effort to Assess Environmental Health in Newport News, Virginia]]
* Increased activism around 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.
* Increased activism around Lambert's Point under the slogan "Cover the Coal", led by New Virginia Majority and Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, 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 solutions to coal dust impacts, and coal dust-related petitions are circulated.
* Planning grants are secured to explore solutions to coal dust impacts, and coal dust-related petitions are circulated.


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* In 2020, the Virginia Environmental Justice Act is passed, with the state government committing to integrate environmental justice principles into decision-making.
* In 2020, the Virginia Environmental Justice Act is passed, with the state government committing to integrate environmental justice principles into decision-making.
* The [[Regulatory Agencies#Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)|VA DEQ]] secures funding for the [[Tidewater Air Monitoring Evaluation (TAME)]] to track coal dust levels in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point.
* The [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)|VA DEQ]] secures funding for the [[Tidewater Air Monitoring Evaluation (TAME)]] to track coal dust levels in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point.
* The Repair Lab 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.
* The Repair Lab 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.
* 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.
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== Evidence ==
== Evidence ==
[[Coal dust complaints|Public Coal Dust Complaints]]


Interviews and Oral Histories
=== Testimonials ===
 
* [[Coal dust complaints|Coal Dust Complaints]]
* [[Interviews and oral histories|Interviews and Oral Histories]]
* [[Media|News and Other Media]]
 
=== Research ===


[[Health impacts: particles and coal dust|Research on Health Impacts: Particles and Coal Dust]]
* [[Air monitoring|Air Monitoring (General)]]
* [[Local air monitoring|Air Monitoring (Local)]]
* [[Health impacts: particles and coal dust|Health Impacts: Particles and Coal Dust (General]])
* [[Tidewater Air Monitoring Evaluation (TAME)]]
* [[VOICES: Voices Organizing In opposition to Coal dust with Environmental Sensing Network|VOICES Network: Voices Organizing In opposition to Coal dust with Environmental Sensing]]
== Actors ==


[[Air monitoring|Air Monitoring]]
=== Regulatory Agencies ===


[[Tidewater Air Monitoring Evaluation (TAME)]]
* [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)]]
== Organizing ==
* [[Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ)]]
Community Organizations
* [[Virginia Department of Health (VDH)]]
* [[Virginia Air Pollution Control Board]]


[[Repair Lab]]
=== Government Bodies ===


== Solutions ==
* [[State Legislature and General Assembly|Local Governments]]
Wind Fences, Domes, and Tree Barriers
* [[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]])


Covering the Train Cars and Dumpers
=== Community and Activist Organizations ===


Chemical Dust Suppression: Sprinklers and Surfactants
* East End Coalition
* Empower All
* New Virginia Majority
* [[Repair Lab]]
* Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
* Southeast CARE Coalition


Air Filtration
=== Industries ===


== Policy ==
* [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Railroads, Terminals, and Coal Companies]]
[[Addressing Coal Dust Impacts|Policy Pathways for Addressing Coal Dust Impacts]]


[[Regulation under the Clean Air Act|National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)]]
== Solutions ==


== Actors ==
* [[Chemical Dust Suppression: Sprinklers and Surfactants]]
[[Regulatory Agencies]]
* [[Covering the Train Cars and Dumpers]]
* [[Wind Fences, Domes, and Tree Barriers]]


[[Government Bodies]]
== Policy ==


Community Organizations
* [[Terminal Permits|Federal and State Terminal Permits]]
* [[Joint Subcommittee Studying Measures to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars]]
* [[Local Regulations]]
* [[Regulation under the Clean Air Act|National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)]]
* [[State Regulations]]


[[Companies: Railroads and Coal|Railroad, Terminal, and Coal Companies]]
== Organizing ==


__NOTOC__
* [[Anti-Coal Dust Activism Outside of Hampton Roads|Activism Outside of Hampton Roads]]
* [[Anti-Coal Dust Campaigns and Initiatives|Campaigns and Initiatives in Hampton Roads]]
* __NOTOC__[[Community events|Community Events]]__NOTOC__


== Getting started ==
== About Voices in the Dust and Getting Started ==
* [https://www.coaldustkills.com Coaldustkills.com]
* How do I use this wiki?
* How do I use this wiki?
* How is this wiki is organized?
* How is this wiki is organized?
* How do edits get approved?
* How do edits get approved?
== References ==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Voices in the Dust}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Voices in the Dust}}

Latest revision as of 18:14, 7 June 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.

Explore Voices in the Dust

Visual Table of ContentsGo to EvidenceGo to OrganizingGo to SolutionsGo to PolicyGo to ActorsGo to Timeline
Visual Table of Contents

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-Shore Civic League wrote 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 hired a chemical engineering firm to measure the amount of coal in airborne particles, who found that at least in one location 45% of airborne dust was coal.[3][4]
  • The air monitoring study prompted 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 begin early discussions around coal dust mitigation.
  • Linwood DeBrew and other community members begin organizing around coal dust pollution issues.

1980s

  • The City of Newport News overturns its air pollution ordinance.
  • Dust suppressing sprinkler systems are installed at coal terminals in response to community concerns.
  • A significant increase in formal complaints about coal dust from local residents, including the first recorded complaint from Lambert's Point, Norfolk.
  • The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board begins monitoring coal dust emissions and takes initial steps to regulate coal dust control.

1990s

2000s

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 around 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 solutions to coal dust impacts, and 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.
  • The Repair Lab 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 this digital archive documenting decades of coal dust activism and environmental justice efforts in Virginia, providing a historical record of community struggles and victories.

Evidence

Testimonials

Research

Actors

Regulatory Agencies

Government Bodies

Community and Activist Organizations

  • East End Coalition
  • Empower All
  • New Virginia Majority
  • Repair Lab
  • Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
  • Southeast CARE Coalition

Industries

Solutions

Policy

Organizing

About Voices in the Dust and Getting Started

  • How do I use this wiki?
  • How is this wiki is organized?
  • How do edits get approved?

References

  1. ↑ Railroads of Port Adopt Coal Sprinkle: Growing demand for Sprinkled Coal Said to Be Made by Trans-Shippers, Daily Press, November 23, 1927.
  2. ↑ Newport News to Analyze Smoke and Soot Nuisance in Garden-Shores Sector, Daily Press, April 4, 1954.
  3. ↑ Council, Daily Press, December 4, 1956.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 C&O to Install Costly Equipment for Control of Air Pollution in NN, Daily Press, December 12, 1956.
  5. ↑ Council Gets Air Pollution Control Plan, Daily Press, December 18, 1956.
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