According to Public Justice, environmental organizations, including Sierra Club and Public Justice, have joined forces to petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address a pressing environmental and public health concern: coal pollution emanating from uncovered rail cars. In a move to protect communities and ecosystems from the harmful impacts of coal dust and pollutants, these groups have filed a petition for rulemaking with the EPA.
This petition emphasizes the need for the EPA to regulate coal pollution resulting from open-top trains carrying coal. The coal industry's unchecked release of toxic coal dust threatens human health and the environment and demands immediate attention and action.
Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA holds the authority to regulate pollution from point sources, including open-top railcars. The petition submitted today presents compelling evidence that coal pollution from these trains can escape during transit, contaminating the air, water, and communities with heavy metals and toxic chemicals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and mercury. These pollutants pose significant health risks, including bronchitis, asthma, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. Furthermore, coal dust and particles can infiltrate drinking water sources and aquatic habitats, endangering public health and the livelihoods of fishing communities.
While coal dust is prevalent across the United States, pollution from uncovered rail cars remains largely unregulated. The petition aims to close this regulatory loophole and ensure that coal train operators are held accountable for their pollution.
The petition to regulate coal pollution from open-top railcars has garnered support from a coalition of environmental and public health organizations, including New Virginia Majority, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, South Baltimore Community Land Trust, and many more. These organizations are dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of communities affected by coal pollution.
Public Justice Environmental Enforcement Project Senior Attorney Dan Snyder said, “For years, we’ve seen how the coal industry has operated with impunity, polluting the environment and surrounding communities with harmful coal dust. We’re proud to join the Sierra Club and our other environmental allies in urging the U.S. EPA to do its job and force coal train operators to clean up their act.”
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