Richmond, California

Richmond, California is home to the Levin-Richmond Terminal Corporation, a privately owned bulk commodities terminal located along the San Francisco Bay, less than one mile from residential neighborhoods. Beginning in 2013, the terminal became a significant site for coal exports on the West Coast, handling coal shipped by rail from Utah mines to international markets. By the late 2010s, Richmond—alongside Stockton—was one of the only major West Coast cities still exporting coal, making it a focal point for community concern and environmental justice organizing. Terminal operators have long stated that they use modern technology and adhere to strict air and water standards, and in recent years have publicly committed to transitioning away from coal toward non-fossil fuel commodities by 2026. However, residents living downwind of the terminal and along rail corridors raised alarms about coal dust emissions from uncovered railcars, stockpiles, and handling operations as export volumes increased sharply after 2016.

Coal exports through the Levin-Richmond Terminal rose rapidly between 2013 and 2019, reaching approximately one million tons per year. This increase coincided with a broader decline in domestic coal demand in the United States, driven in part by cheaper natural gas and shifting energy markets. As domestic demand fell, coal producers sought international buyers, increasing pressure on West Coast ports to expand export capacity. The surge in activity brought visible changes to Richmond neighborhoods. Residents reported coal and petcoke dust settling on cars, homes, and schoolyards, and expressed concern about air quality impacts in a city already burdened by multiple industrial pollution sources. Communities as far as 1.4 miles downwind of the terminal questioned whether existing regulatory frameworks adequately protected public health.

In response to these concerns, local organizing coalesced into what became known as the No Coal in Richmond campaign. In 2017, environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and local advocates, began pushing for action to stop coal exports from the city. That same year, the Richmond City Council banned coal exports from publicly owned land. However, this policy did not apply to privately owned terminals, leaving the Levin-Richmond Terminal unaffected. Grassroots organizing intensified through the formation of the Sunflower Alliance, which brought together environmental justice groups, labor unions, public health professionals, faith organizations, educators, and small business leaders. The coalition gathered more than 2,300 signatures on letters urging the City Council to adopt stronger protections against coal dust pollution. Labor organizations such as the United Teachers of Richmond and the California Nurses Association joined the effort, framing coal dust as both a public health issue and a community safety concern. The No Coal in Richmond campaign linked local experiences of dust exposure to broader climate, health, and racial justice concerns, emphasizing that communities of color and working-class neighborhoods bore the brunt of rail-related pollution.

Scientific research reinforced community claims. A health impact assessment conducted by researchers at the University of California examined particulate matter (PM₂.₅) exposure associated with uncovered coal trains in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Richmond. The study found that a 2.1 μg/m³ increase in PM₂.₅ exposure near rail lines was associated with increased risks of premature mortality and chronic lung disease. Even short-term exposures—on the order of hours—were linked to elevated risks of cardiovascular and respiratory harm. The study also documented racial disparities in exposure. Hispanic and Black communities living near rail corridors experienced higher relative PM₂.₅ burdens than white populations, highlighting how coal transport compounded existing environmental inequities in the East Bay.

Residents, educators, and health advocates provided firsthand accounts that echoed these findings. Jacob Gran, a Richmond High School teacher and member of United Teachers of Richmond, described coal and petcoke dust traveling miles from rail lines and terminals, affecting schools and homes and contributing to widespread respiratory distress among students. These testimonies played a crucial role in shifting public discourse and legitimizing community knowledge alongside scientific evidence. Following legal settlements related to coal exports, environmental advocates emphasized the importance of enforcement and oversight. Earthjustice attorney Anna Stimmel noted that agreements ending coal exports would provide relief to nearby families while granting the city authority to inspect terminal operations and ensure compliance during the phase-out period.

In February 2020, Richmond adopted City Ordinance No. 05-20 N.S., a landmark land-use ordinance prohibiting new coal and petroleum coke operations on private land, preventing expansion of existing facilities, and mandating a phased end to coal and petcoke handling within city limits.[7] The City explicitly cited the disproportionate health burdens imposed on Richmond residents by PM₂.₅ exposure from coal dust. The ordinance triggered multiple lawsuits from coal and fossil fuel interests, including the Levin-Richmond Terminal. In state court, judges ruled in favor of the City, finding that coal operations violated the California Environmental Quality Act. In November 2021, a settlement resolved both state and federal litigation, allowing coal operations to continue only until December 31, 2026, while requiring substantial interim dust mitigation measures. These measures included wind-speed operating limits, water misting during unloading, and construction of new shielding structures to reduce dust emissions. The settlement also required the dismissal, with prejudice, of all lawsuits challenging the ordinance.

Despite legal victories, organizing in Richmond continues. Coal and petcoke interests remain active through political contributions and advocacy, while community groups emphasize a just transition for terminal workers and a permanent shift away from fossil fuel handling. Approximately two-thirds of the coal handled at the Levin terminal originated from Utah mines, underscoring how Richmond became entangled in national and global coal supply chains. The No Coal in Richmond campaign stands as a significant example of community-led resistance to coal dust pollution on the West Coast. Like movements in Oakland, Baltimore, and Hampton Roads, it demonstrates how residents, labor groups, scientists, and advocates can combine local testimony, health research, and land-use law to challenge entrenched industrial practices and assert a right to clean air.

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