The Port of Virginia exports more coal than anywhere in the U.S., and millions of tons of coal are stored in open piles in the Southeast Community at the Dominion Terminal Associates and Kinder Morgan Terminal. Coal dust blows off the storage piles, train cars, and equipment into nearby neighborhoods, coating homes, cars, gardens, and playgrounds with toxic metals.

Got dust? We want to test it!

Got dust? We want to test it!

Do you think there’s coal dust in your home? Want to help us find out and share your story? Get involved

Read the report: Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News Is a Nuisance and There Are Solutions

Read the report: Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News Is a Nuisance and There Are Solutions

Key points: (1) Quality of life, property, finances, and health of residents living near the coal terminals in the Southeast Community are negatively impacted by coal dust; (2) the negative impacts of coal dust can be mitigated though existing infrastructure options, in particular, wind fences and domes; (3) wind fences and domes are widely-used (there are 100s of them currently in the U.S. and globally) commercially available, can be installed while the terminals operate normally, and cost a fraction of a percent of just one year’s profits of Alpha Metallurgical Resources (Dominion Terminal Associates is their subsidiary) and Kinder Morgan. wind fences and domes

The VOICES Network: Voices Organizing In opposition to Coal dust with Environmental Sensing

The VOICES Network: Voices Organizing In opposition to Coal dust with Environmental Sensing

Dust monitors are going up and collecting dust measurements throughout Southeast Newport News and Lambert’s Point, Norfolk. Unlike other sensors, these monitors use technologies specific to both small and large particles, including coal dust. This is part of a larger effort to achieve policy solutions to end coal dust pollution in Virginia. SEE the real-time data

Hear from residents

Hear from residents

Residents are telling their stories. Learn from people directly on how coal dust affects life in Southeast Newport News. Read the testimoniaLS

Crosswinds full series is out!

Crosswinds full series is out!

Crosswinds is a podcast about friendship, justice, evidence, and faith in the fight for clean air in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Listen to Episodes 1–5

Share your coal dust story

Share your coal dust story

Your story can help reduce coal dust by convincing the Newport News City Council that action is needed. We will present the collection of coal dust stories (yours can be anonymous, if preferred) as evidence that coal dust is a problem in the Southeast Community, despite claims from Dominion Terminal Associates and Kinder Morgan Terminal that it is not. There are two ways to share:

Give your feedback on a potential policy solution

Give your feedback on a potential policy solution

We are interested in advocating for a city ordinance requiring the coal terminals to build infrastructure to reduce the impact of coal dust on the community. The ordinance would say that open coal storage in Newport News is a public nuisance, forcing the coal companies that profit from the coal to pay to either (1) cover the coal piles with a dome or other building or (2) build wind fences to decrease wind speeds over the coal piles, therefore decreasing the amount of coal dust blown into Southeast Newport News. Both options would likely reduce coal dust by 70-80% or more. what do you think?

We have yard signs!

We have yard signs!

Show city council, state politicians and regulators, and terminal operators that you’re ready for action against coal dust. get yours now

Join us!

Join us!

Do you want to learn more? Get involved? Let us know