By Terilyn Chen
The Richmond Planning Commission hearing on July 18 lasted past 11 PM, with dozens of speakers testifying to the health and environmental impacts of coal and petcoke handling and storage. The ordinance would phase out current coal and petroleum coke storage and handling at the city’s Levin Terminal and prevent future coal or petcoke operations.
During the No Coal in Richmond rally before the meeting, speakers gave powerful testimony. Speakers at the rally included Easter Hill United Methodist Church’s Reverend Dr. Dale M. Weatherspoon, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, WCCUSD Board Member Valerie Cuevas, activist filmmaker Brenda “BK” Williams, Councilmember Eduardo Martinez, Kaiser Medical Assistant Patty Ponce, APEN Senior Richmond Community Organizer Torm Nompraseurt, youth advocate and businessman Diego Garcia, and indigenous leader Courtney Cummings.
Those who showed up in opposition to the ordinance included members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and the Building and Construction Trades Council, as well as Gary Levin, the president of the Levin-Richmond Terminal Corporation.
Unfortunately, the Planning Commission ultimately voted against recommending the #NoCoalinRichmond ordinance to the City Council. However, this isn't the end of the fight for a #CoalFreeRichmond. Stay tuned for next steps!
Photo: Some of the many community members who turned out in support of the No Coal in Richmond ordinance. Photo by Minda Berbeco. See more photos here.