Richmond, California is no stranger to industry. But several years ago, when locals learned that a privately-owned terminal had started handling significantly more coal, they took note. Concerned about coal dust blowing off of trains, and off the mounds of coal at the terminal, they formed the No Coal in Richmond group. And they’ve been organizing around the issue ever since. No Coal in Richmond hopes their multi-year effort will soon pay off with the passage of an ordinance that would phase out the handling of coal and petcoke in the city. The Richmond City Council is expected to vote on the measure at its meeting later this month.
Terra Verde host and Earth Island Journal Managing Editor Zoe Loftus-Farren talks with Minda Berbeco, director of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Janis Hashe, a freelance writer and editor, Richmond resident, and member of the No Coal in Richmond campaign.