Join Us: Rally to hold CSX accountable for the explosion in Curtis Bay and speak out about the continued harms of living next to a Coal Pier.
Residents in Curtis Bay experienced a disaster in December when part of the CSX coal terminal exploded. Since then we’ve had to fight tooth and nail for every scrap of information about what caused the blast and what will stop it from happening again. After 8 months, the company finally released its report that stated the caused for the explosion that shook the homes of Curtis Bay residents was because of methane build up inside the conveyor belt tunnel used to load coal into ships on the facility’s north side. It was inadequately ventilated, allowing methane to build up inside. Just couple weeks later, the Maryland Department of the Environment gave CSX the green light to rebuild the damaged parts of the terminal and go back to full scale operations while adding in vents to vent the methane out into the air which is still a terrible outcome for Curtis Bay a already over burden community.
At the last informational hearing in front of the City Council, CSX claimed they were committed to being a good neighbor, but for years they’ve ignored our complaints about the constant coal dust in the neighborhood. They act like the coal explosion was an exception to the rule, refusing to acknowledge the harm the terminal causes the community every day.
It’s clear that CSX and MDE aren’t taking residents seriously. It’s time for us to take a stand and make ourselves heard. On November 30th we’re holding a rally at the Curtis Bay Rec Center so that we can tell our stories and demand that CSX is held accountable for the harm they continue to cause. We want to make sure that the city and MDE understands that the explosion was just ONE major event, but that we’re constantly breathing in coal dust and trying to keep it off our windows and out of our houses.
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