Coal Dust Pollution in our Communities

“Join us on Thursday Dec 14th at 7pm for the release of a key new report containing findings into decades long unanswered resident concerns about the connection between the transport and storage of millions of tons of coal in Baltimore and our health. Namely, is the dark dust I find on the inside and outside of my home coal dust? How far is coal dust detectable offsite from the uncovered terminal and rail line? How quickly does coal dust accumulate offsite? How can this impact my health and the health of my friends and neighbors?

Thanks to strong resident leadership across South Baltimore communities and partners at the CHARMED center committed to making scientific tools available in service of shedding light on environmental justice concerns – we have relevant and timely information to share in the form of a collaborative report developed by community, academic and governmental partners at the Maryland Department of Environment.

The meeting on Dec 14th will feature the release of new findings in the collaborative report as well as an opportunity for public comments to be made directly to MDE as they prepare to draft a new permit for the CSX open air coal terminal in Curtis Bay.

After the collaborative report is released on December 14th, MDE has committed to take public comments and new research findings into account as they draft a new operating permit for the CSX coal terminal. Note, that residents have made complaints to MDE about coal dust from the terminal going back at least a decade when permit decisions were being made and no substantial changes were required.

When MDE releases the draft permit for public comment in the new year, we will get our first indication as to whether or not MDE and Gov. Moore are prepared to act on their commitments to environmental justice. We must be prepared to continue to engage and act throughout this process, and beyond, so our needs for a healthy and safe community are not restricted by what is deemed politically possible.

Thank you all and let’s continue to make the environmental and economic justice work we mapped out together a reality!

SYSTEMATIC APPROACH to Environmental Justice, Zero Waste & Community Economic Development (our guiding framework)

1. Create relief and equitable development funds, through per ton fees and other mechanisms, for the communities that have hosted toxic waste and polluting infrastructure for decades.

2. Set stronger standards that protect our health, workers and the environment, including a cumulative impacts law protecting overburdened communities.

3. Establish protections for workers as we transition from outdated technologies to current approaches.

4. Build and strengthen local end markets for compost and recycled commodities and other sustainable materials.

5. End subsidies for the incinerators, landfills and polluting industry we are transitioning away from.”