Reposted from national Sierra Club, find original here.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Contact: Lauren Randall, Sierra Club, lauren.randall@sierraclub.org, 781-608-1485; Leslie Morrison, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, leslie@chesapeakeclimate.org, 217-417-5976 - Curtis Bay, Maryland - This morning, Curtis Bay residents most affected by the CSX coal export facility’s inadequate water pollution safeguards gathered at a press conference along with two environmental groups—the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Sierra Club—to voice concerns before delivering hundreds of public comments to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). At issue is the CSX coal export facility in southern Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood, which now transports and exports more coal than ever before. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. coal exports set a monthly record in March, and Baltimore was one of the top five districts exporting coal that month. Permits regulating water pollution from the CSX coal facility have not kept pace with the growth in industry and the resultant pollution. Curtis Bay is already overburdened with pollution, and is one of the most polluted zip codes in the state. With the public comment deadline ending on July 5th, Curtis Bay community members gathered near the export facility’s massive coal piles to call on MDE to protect public health and strengthen water pollution safeguards at the facility.
“Curtis Bay is my home, and it is a beautiful place to live,” said Deborah Elliot of Prudence Street, located three streets away from CSX’s coal export facility. “I would hate to see the people of Curtis Bay overwhelmed by environmental and public health issues. I want the Department of the Environment to act to protect the water in our community before it’s too late.” Curtis Bay residents who attended the press conference or submitted public comment to MDE voiced concern about crabbing and fishing in the Harbor after smelling the water, which some said gave off a chemical odor. Others told of black soot on back patios and black dust floating on top of family swimming pools.
One Curtis Bay resident with 5 year-old twins even voiced concern about his children playing outside in the polluted water, stating that he doesn’t want them to turn into mutants. Lead, mercury and other toxic pollutants that are components of coal have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage. MDE’s current draft update to the permit does not require that CSX monitor the amounts of these pollutants that flow from the export facility into the already-polluted Baltimore Harbor. Citizens and environmental groups are asking MDE to require monitoring for harmful pollutants associated with coal so that the public has access to this crucial information and that MDE set appropriate pollution limits that protect locals’ health. "Considering the industrial pollution burden already experienced by this community, any pollution permit issued by the state must set the strictest standards possible,” said Diana Dascalu-Joffe, Senior General Counsel at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “We hope that MDE takes these comments seriously and that the final permit will include much stronger controls on heavy metals and improved monitoring requirements."
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is required to consider public input before issuing a new water pollution permit for the CSX coal export facility. “The Maryland General Assembly just passed a bill this spring that will provide the framework for offshore wind off the coast of Ocean City,” said Chris Hill, Conservation Representative, Maryland Sierra Club. “Ultimately, transitioning away from coal and the air and water pollution issues it causes towards cleaner energy sources like offshore wind will keep our families safe and protect entire communities like Curtis Bay.”