Government Bodies

Local Government Bodies: City Councils, Planning Commissions, and Boards of Health

Local government agencies, including city councils, planning commissions, and boards of health, play a significant role in zoning decisions, public health initiatives, and setting local environmental policies.

• Role: While constrained by Dillon’s Rule, which limits the authority of local governments in Virginia, these bodies are still vital in influencing zoning decisions and passing local ordinances related to environmental protection. City councils, in particular, can hold public hearings where residents can voice their concerns about coal dust pollution, and they have the power to propose local regulations to mitigate the effects of coal dust.
• Relevance: Although local governments are often limited in their ability to directly regulate coal dust, they serve as a critical platform for community advocacy. Many grassroots coalitions begin their work at the local level, pushing for stronger protections and raising awareness about the health risks of coal dust. These local bodies can help build momentum for broader state and federal-level reforms.

State Legislature and General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly, through state legislators, plays an essential role in shaping environmental policy and regulations related to coal dust. While the VA DEQ and VDH are the primary regulatory agencies, state lawmakers have the authority to pass legislation that can strengthen environmental protections or direct funding to address pollution.

• Role: The General Assembly can propose bills to enhance environmental regulations, improve public health monitoring, and ensure that coal dust exposure is addressed as a priority. Legislators have the power to influence the DEQ's funding, mandate stricter air quality standards, and advocate for coal dust-related health research and mitigation measures.
• Relevance: The effectiveness of the state legislative response to coal dust issues has been mixed. While some legislators have been vocal about the need for stronger protections for impacted communities, others have been resistant to increasing regulatory burdens on the coal industry. Activists and impacted residents continue to engage with legislators to push for stronger environmental justice measures, particularly those that address the long-standing environmental burdens on low-income and minority communities in Hampton Roads.

Virginia Environmental Justice Advisory Board

The Virginia Environmental Justice Advisory Board (EJAB) is a state-level body that provides advice to the Governor and the DEQ on issues of environmental justice. The board's mandate is to ensure that the environmental concerns of marginalized communities are considered in the development of state policies and programs.

• Role: The EJAB's role includes advising on the implementation of environmental justice principles in state policy, as well as making recommendations for improving the protection of communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. The board provides a platform for communities to raise concerns about issues like coal dust and offers policy recommendations to address these concerns.
• Relevance: The EJAB plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of impacted communities in Hampton Roads and ensuring that their concerns are taken into account at the state level. However, the board's ability to enact change is often limited by political and institutional constraints. Despite these challenges, the EJAB serves as an important vehicle for advocating for stronger protections and for ensuring that environmental justice issues are not overlooked in state policy development.