An open letter to the Honorable Michael S. Regan

Dear Administrator Regan:I write this letter in support of the September 26, 2023, Petition for Rulemaking submitted by South Baltimore Community Land Trust, Public Justice, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, and several other petitioners (“the Petitioners”) to Establish a Nationwide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for Uncovered Rail Cars Transporting Coal, Pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1342(a).Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) places his support behind the request to establish a nationwide national pollutant discharge elimination system. Photo: Courtesy photoAs you know, millions of tons of coal are transported by rail in the United States every year. Due to wind erosion, coal rail cars act as point source discharges of pollution, depositing harmful coal dust into the many streams, rivers, other waterways, and communities within proximity of train tracks. These coal and coal dust discharges pollute our nation’s waterways, leading to disastrous effects on aquatic ecosystems across the country. More specifically, fine coal particulates (i) inhibit the ability of aquatic plant life to photosynthesize and grow and (ii) harm gill-breathing marine life. This kind of pollution occurs from the west coast to the east coast, creating adverse health outcomes for families close to the point source discharge of pollution.My constituents who live next...