No Coal in Richmond is calling a rally and press conference on July 18th at 5:30 PM to demonstrate widespread community support for the Richmond coal ordinance that will come before the Richmond Planning Commission that evening. Contra Costa Board of Supervisors President John Gioia, community leaders, labor representatives, and health professionals will address the rally on the steps of Richmond City Hall. At 6:30, the Planning Commission will hold its vote. Join us for the rally and hearing to show your support! RSVP and details here.
A land-use measure that relies on the city’s police powers to regulate business in the interests of public health and safety, the ordinance is the centerpiece of an effort by six environmental groups including the Sierra Club to end coal and pet coke operations at the Levin-Richmond Terminal, a privately owned facility situated at the port near homes, schools, parks and businesses. The ordinance, proposed by City Councilman Eduardo Martinez, would provide for a graduated phase-out of existing coal and pet coke handling and storage. The ordinance would also prohibit new coal or pet coke operations and prevent expansion of existing facilities. If the Planning Commission approves the ordinance, it will next go to the City Council for approval.
Fugitive coal dust emitted from uncovered piles at the terminal contains arsenic, mercury, silica, lead and other harmful substances. Dust from coal and pet coke contains fine particles (PM 2.5) known to cause or aggravate asthma and other lung conditions. Many Richmond residents suffer from high levels of asthma and other health problems caused by bad air quality, and a study published last month ties exposure to PM 2.5 in the first years of life to poorer performance in memory and attention in schoolchildren.
“In 2018, nearly a million metric tons of coal passed through Richmond for export, an increase of 436 percent in six years. Richmond has enough challenges. It does not need to support a dying industry at the expense of our health,” said Janet Johnson, Richmond resident and a leader of No Coal in Richmond. The coalition has collected more than 1,100 signatures on a letter that calls for immediate action by the Richmond City Council.
The ordinance is backed by the Sierra Club's San Francisco Bay Chapter, Communities for a Better Environment, Sunflower Alliance, the Interfaith Climate Action Network of Contra Costa County, Richmond Progressive Alliance, and No Coal in Oakland.
For more information, visit ncir.weebly.com.
Photo: the Levin-Richmond terminal, courtesy Google Maps.