Cover the Coal

For decades, residents of Lambert's Point have raised concerns about coal dust pollution stemming from the nearby terminal. Local residents and environmental advocates have argued that fine coal particles frequently escape during handling and transport, coating nearby homes, vehicles, and public spaces in black dust. The particulate matter from the coal dust has been shown to cause significant health issues in the community, leading to high rates of asthma (source needed)

The neighborhood is also subject to lots of traffic emissions, as it is bordered on one side by Hampton Boulevard (one of the main truck routes servicing the Port of Virginia).

Community activism around the coal dust issue dates back to at least the 1970s, when neighborhood groups began organizing to demand stronger environmental protections and monitoring. Over the years, residents have reported respiratory problems and other health concerns they attribute to long-term coal dust exposure. Activists have called for measures such as covered railcars, enclosed conveyor systems, and independent air quality testing. Norfolk Southern currently uses a wet dust suppression system, coating the sprinklers with reused stormwater. However, residents complain that these sprinklers are not always on, and are not fully suppressing the fugitive dust.

Organizations such as the Sierra Club, Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative, New Virginia Majority, and local community associations have periodically partnered to amplify residents’ voices. These groups generally focus their efforts both in Lambert’s Point and in Southeast Newport News, both historically Black neighborhoods alongside coal terminals. Their efforts have included petitions, public meetings, and engagement with city officials and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Norfolk Southern has maintained that the facility operates within regulatory limits and has implemented dust-control technologies, including water sprays and chemical suppressants. However, many community members argue that these measures are insufficient and that the problem persists, especially under certain weather conditions. Local air monitoring has existed since at least the mid 1950s, and community efforts to measure coal dust exist today via groups like the VOICES Network (Voices Organizing In Opposition to Coal dust with Environmental Sensing).

Lambert’s Point Civic League

The Lambert’s Point Civic League (LPCL) is a community organization open to all focused on improving quality of life in the Lambert’s Point. The LPCL organizes neighborhood meetings to discuss local issues, partners with city officials and police to enhance safety, supports community clean-up efforts, and promotes community through events and outreach. The LPCL advocates for better housing, infrastructure, and youth programs. The Civic League meets at the Lambert’s Point Community Center on the third Tuesday of every month.