Residents of Appalachia and coal export communities are uniting to urge for new environmental protections from coal dust blowing off trains, which are wreaking havoc on local waterways and public health. The call to action was spearheaded by Appalachian Voices, which submitted a letter signed by nearly 4,000 individuals to the Trump administration's newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, Lee Zeldin, on February 4, 2025. This plea highlights the dangers posed by coal dust, which often contains harmful substances like iron and manganese, and is exacerbated by the current lack of regulatory oversight.
Appalachian Voices Environmental Scientist Matt Hepler, who has personally witnessed the negative impacts of uncovered coal trains, emphasized the direct consequences of coal dust exposure on local water systems. “Living for many years in Southwest Virginia, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Coal trains are not covered, and each car carries around a hundred tons of pulverized coal,” he said. Indeed, as trains travel through communities, dust and larger coal fragments are released, contaminant waterways and compromising public health.
The American Lung Association attributes the exposure to elevated levels of coal dust to approximately 48,000 premature deaths annually across the U.S., highlighting the urgency of regulatory action. Community voices like Carl Poole from New Virginia Majority stress the severity of this issue, stating, “They move past schools, playgrounds and community centers as they travel through our neighborhoods. It’s not just about energy; it’s about our lives.” This outcry has galvanized community coalitions and environmental organizations to petition the EPA to establish regulations for coal trains akin to those for other transport commodities.
Simultaneously, residents of West Virginia are confronting another significant issue: unsafe lead exposure from aging water infrastructure comprised of lead service lines. New regulations mandated by the Biden administration require water utilities to replace all lead service lines by 2037, supplemented by over $15 billion of federal funding. Valerie Baron, national policy director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Safe Water Initiative, remarked, “What the rule does is it acknowledges for the first time... these pipes actually have to come out of the ground.” This acknowledgment is pivotal for ensuring safe drinking water, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.
The problem had come to the forefront following documented lead poisoning cases among children, which prompted emergency interventions by the EPA. Water systems across the state have reported the necessity of at least $1 billion for upgrades to alleviate prolonged water outages and health risks. The uneven data on pipe materials complicates swift action, with reports indicating more than two-thirds of the service lines remain unverified. “According to the EPA we have a lot of unknowns, but that's not really the case,” said Wheeling Water Superintendent Lori Siburt. Correctly identifying these lines is key to implementing the necessary transformations to water systems.
Adding yet another layer to the environmental regulatory framework, the EPA is revising its guidelines for herbicide use under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Preliminary changes have already been communicated to farmers, linking herbicide application to the protection of endangered species. "Farmers have already seen some examples of changes to the labels around Endangered Species Act obligations, and it’s going to change how they farm," noted Corey Lacey, environmental policy manager for the Illinois Soybean Association, during recent discussions surrounding the upcoming 2025 growing season.
The strict review process stems from legal actions taken against the EPA for not conducting mandatory consultations related to the use of herbicides and their impact on endangered species. The new strategy entails evaluating the potential impact of herbicides on endangered species and assigning mitigation points to manage spray drift and runoff. Lacey mentioned potential challenges farmers face as they adapt to stricter herbicide regulations, encouraging preemptive compliance planning well before the regulations take effect.
The aforementioned regulatory reforms embody the pressing public demand for cleaner environmental practices and safer community health standards. Critics argue swift and decisive action is needed to put protections for coal dust and lead exposure at the forefront of discussions, as well as establishing valid regulatory structures for agriculture aimed at preserving endangered species. The interconnected nature of these concerns — from coal dust and lead pipes to herbicide applications — explains the fervent and coordinated public response witnessed across communities.
It’s clear as these issues rise to prominence, effective community engagement and regulatory responses will play pivotal roles in shaping the future environmental and public health outcomes. The outcomes hinge not only on governmental responsiveness but also on nurturing public awareness and support across coal-export communities, environmental watchdogs, and agricultural stakeholders alike. This collective effort is aimed at ensuring cleaner air and water today and for future generations.