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Coal Pollution in Stockton

Learn about the toxic coal dust pollution in Stockton neighborhoods and its detrimental health effects. Find out how to get involved in community efforts to address this issue and build a safer environment for Stockton residents.

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Coal Pollution in Stockton

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  1. Coal Pollution in Stockton Presenter: Terilyn Chen Regional Coal Organizer Mother Lode, SF Bay, and Redwood Chapters of the Sierra Club

  2. Introduction: Why Are We Here Today? • Toxic coal dust released during coal operations at the Port of Stockton may be polluting Stockton neighborhoods. • Stockton residents already suffer from high levels of asthma and other health issues stemming from bad air quality—we need to build community power to get coal out of Stockton neighborhoods to make Stockton a safer place to live!

  3. Roadmap • Purpose of This Webinar • Coal: A Dying Industry • Coal Operations in Stockton • Graphics: Port of Stockton Coal Exports • Coal Dust Pollution • Graphic: Coal Piles at the Port of Stockton • Health Impacts of Coal Dust Pollution • Graphics: Proximity of Piles to Homes and Schools • Environmental Justice Implications • Graphic: CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Results • What Can Be Done? • Opportunities for Involvement • Q&A and Discussion

  4. Purpose of this Webinar • Share information about: • coal operations in Stockton • the health effects of coal dust pollution • the environmental justice implications of local coal dust pollution • Provide space for folks to share expertise on how to address coal dust pollution in Stockton • Brainstorm and discuss ways to build community power for local coal efforts • Connect with each other!

  5. Coal: A Dying Industry • In recent years, energy markets have shifted to favor renewables. • Mostly due to declines in the use of coal in the electric power sector, domestic coal consumption has drastically decreased. • Last year, U.S. coal consumption was the lowest it’s been in 39 years (U.S. Energy Information Administration). • As a result, the coal industry is attempting to stay afloat by targeting international markets. • In the last two or three years, we have seen increases in coal production and shipment overseas.

  6. Coal Operations in Stockton • Large-scale coal shipments out of the Port of Stockton began very recently, in 2012. • According to USA Trade Online, the Port of Stockton didn’t ship coal between 2003-2012. • In Stockton, boats are partially loaded with coal, then shipped through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta down to Richmond, where they are topped off with more coal prior to shipment overseas.

  7. Port of Stockton Coal Exports (Graph) (USA Trade Online)

  8. Port of Stockton Coal Exports (Table) (USA Trade Online)

  9. Coal Dust Pollution • During their journey from the mines to the terminal, open-top coal cars release coal dust into the air. This may result in toxic pollutants being released into the backyards of Stockton residents. • Once the coal reaches the terminal, it sits in massive open-air piles, less than 1,000 meters (or 0.6 miles) from the closest residence.

  10. Coal Piles at the Port of Stockton

  11. Health Impacts of Coal Dust Pollution • Coal easily breaks up into fine particles. When inhaled, these particles can become lodged in people’s lungs. • Coal dust includes toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury. • Prolonged, direct exposure to it is linked to devastating health consequences, including the following: • Asthma • Chronic bronchitis • Decreased lung function • Cardiovascular and respiratory problems • Cancer • Death

  12. Distance Between Coal Piles and Homes

  13. Distance Between Coal Piles and School

  14. Environmental Justice Implications • Stockton communities, especially those who live close to the Port, are already overburdened by poor air quality. • The census tract that includes the Port and surrounding neighborhoods, census tract 6077000801, is in the 91st to 100th percentile on CalEnviroScreen. • Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by coal dust pollution.

  15. CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Results

  16. What Can Be Done? • Methods and options differ depending on various factors: • Who is shipping the coal—is it a public or private entity? • Is the terminal in question an existing one that is already in use, or is it a proposed project? • Is there community support for a local anti-coal campaign? • Examples: • Proposed projects in • Surrey, Canada • Oakland, California • Existing terminal in Richmond, California

  17. What Can Be Done? • Example: Richmond, California • The private Levin-Richmond Terminal is currently shipping coal overseas. Last year, it shipped over 1 million metric tons of coal. • The Sierra Club, together with No Coal in Richmond and community members, is advocating for a land use ordinance that would stop the storage and handling of coal within city limits. • Community members have been canvassing, presenting at Neighborhood Council meetings, making comments at City Council meetings, collecting signatures for a letter to the City Council, and lobbying City Councilmembers.

  18. Opportunities for Involvement • Help gather information/conduct research. • Let your neighbors know about this public health issue. • Help publicize and attend local coal-related events. • At the end of the summer, there will be a youth-oriented, asthma/air pollution-focused event in Stockton. Terilyn will be doing a coal workshop for middle and high school students. • Regular coal calls? Email terilyn.chen@sierraclub.org if you’d like to stay up-to-date with volunteer opportunities!

  19. Q&A and Discussion

  20. Thank you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, and/or suggestions! Email terilyn.chen@sierraclub.org.

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