
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995                   TAG: 9508210033
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LEGISLATORS TO DEAL WITH DIRT

People who have suffered problems from coal dust blowing off railroad cars will have a chance to discuss them with state legislators next month in Roanoke.

A special joint subcommittee of the state Senate and House of Delegates studying ways to cut the amount of dust will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Sept. 8 in Roanoke City Council chambers.

More than four years ago, Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, and Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, introduced legislation that would have effectively required railroads to cover coal cars passing through the state. The legislation was prompted by complaints from residents of Montgomery and Bedford counties and other state residents whose property had been damaged by coal dust from train cars.

In 1991, Norfolk Southern Corp., after acknowledging there was a problem, asked the General Assembly to delay legislation regulating dust until the railroad could come up with voluntary ways to control it, such as using chemical crusting agents to seal the top of the coal in the cars.

When another delay was granted the railroad in December, Sen. Eliott Schewel, D-Lynchburg, warned that if the committee found this year that the problem had not been solved, he would be the first to recommend that legislation be enacted.

Anyone wanting to attend the hearing who will require interpreter services or other accommodations should call the clerk of the subcommittee at (804)786-5742.

by CNB