Richmond hosts one of the few remaining coal export terminals on the West Coast, with open piles of coal and petcoke spewing dangerous particles into the air. Join the Sierra Club and allies to tell the Air District their new rules on dust have to be stronger!
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is drafting new regulations to stop dust and air pollution from sources like the huge open piles of coal and petcoke at the Richmond terminal. Unfortunately, the new rules seem unlikely to decrease particulate matter (PM2.5) since they lack accountability and depend on visual reporting of dust clouds—even though the PM2.5 particles are too small to see. But these small particles are the most dangerous! They penetrate deep in the lungs and stay there, damaging the lungs and also carrying toxic chemicals into the body.
We need a strong showing from the community telling BAAQMD to improve these rules and protect local health: Please come to have your voice heard at next Monday’s meeting at BAAQMD headquarters.
There will be an opportunity to comment during the meeting. Some talking points to consider are:
3. Concerns regarding the reliance on visual reporting on dust clouds at facilities, rather than using sensors to look at particulate matter specifically.
This item is #4 on the agenda.
WHEN
Monday, December 18, 10:30 AM
WHERE
BAAQMD headquarters
375 Beale St.
San Francisco