Cover the Coal Wagons Group (CTCWG) Meeting with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held Friday 02/2/18.
We recently met two representatives from the NSW EPA Jacinta Hanemann, Regional Manager Operations, Metropolitan Infrastructure and Sarah Thompson, Unit Head Metropolitan Infrastructure, and Yvonne Scougie, Senior Team Leader, Atmospheric research Office of the Environment and Heritage Department.There were nine interested community representatives including the organisers of the meeting from the Blue Mountains Union and Community, its President Kerry Cook as well as a local retired GP who had worked with the now disbanded NSW Dust Diseases Board and Green Party members. The overall impression from the attendees was that it was a positive meeting which could lead to useful future contact with the EPA.
In discussion the government representatives stated that obtaining accurate air quality readings is a contestable area of scientific research. They explained that obtaining reliable air quality readings across the Blue Mountains rail corridor posed real difficulties due to the fact the rail line and the Great Western Highway ran near to or along side each other . We learned that there was 16 coal trains travelling ‘down’ line with 20 empty wagons returning. The EPA agreed to provide written confirmation of these figures.
In relation to the group undertaking a citizen scientist air monitoring project using our hand held units. it became apparent that any research undertaken would have to withstand the riggers of scientific scrutiny. The group’s collective thought prior to this meeting was that we did not have the scientific savvy/skills to warrant spending time monitoring the coal wagons.
The meeting was told the EPA is awaiting delivery of monitors that were being designed to monitor air quality readings at low ground levels, but it was clear they had no plans to commence any trials in the Blue Mountains. The representatives acknowledged that coal wagons in Queensland were covered explaining it could be the result of different types of coal density.
They discussed other air quality issues, such as wood fire smoke in the winter months, in relation to diesel emissions from the trains pulling the coal wagons they agreed these were high in PM 2.5 particulants. They informed the meeting that the State Government was working on a retro fit the diesel engines system to reduce emissions, no time frame was given for this work to be completed.
The representatives said the NSW Government was rolling out a rural air quality monitoring program and suggested that we apply to become part of this initiative. As well as that option they said the EPA could make available a portable air monitoring pod, requiring mains energy, which could be used to begin an general air monitoring program. If the group wanted to become involved in this suggestion we would have to decide on a safe site with access to mains power and the EPA would transport and install the unit. The data from the pod would be become available to the public, and the EPA would undertake maintenance of the pod.
The meeting heard that an air quality study had been commissioned in 2008 by the Blue Mountains City Council and undertaken by Sue Reed, it was agreed to seek this data and use it as the basis of any future air quality studies.
In conclusion the meeting agreed that to undertake a credible air quality study focusing on uncovered coal wagons was out of the group’s scope. As it had been on the initiative of the Blue Mountains Union and Community to undertake this study the meeting agreed that this decision to now focus on a political campaign be taken back to the next BMUC monthly meeting (04/02/18 for ratification.
The local member Trish Doyle has already raised questions in State Parliament about uncovered coal wagons and their impact on the Blue Mountains communities health and air quality. It is expected the government to respond in the near future. The group agreed to keep this issue in the public arena via press releases, as well as approaching prospective State candidates position on covering coal wagons as the State election campaigning commences.
We will investigate further the suggestion to approach the State Government about the Blue Mountains being included in the Rural Air Quality monitoring program as well as seeking a suitable location to site the air monitoring pod.
Peter Lammiman
Cover the Coal Wagons Group.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held Friday 02/2/18.
We recently met two representatives from the NSW EPA Jacinta Hanemann, Regional Manager Operations, Metropolitan Infrastructure and Sarah Thompson, Unit Head Metropolitan Infrastructure, and Yvonne Scougie, Senior Team Leader, Atmospheric research Office of the Environment and Heritage Department.There were nine interested community representatives including the organisers of the meeting from the Blue Mountains Union and Community, its President Kerry Cook as well as a local retired GP who had worked with the now disbanded NSW Dust Diseases Board and Green Party members. The overall impression from the attendees was that it was a positive meeting which could lead to useful future contact with the EPA.
In discussion the government representatives stated that obtaining accurate air quality readings is a contestable area of scientific research. They explained that obtaining reliable air quality readings across the Blue Mountains rail corridor posed real difficulties due to the fact the rail line and the Great Western Highway ran near to or along side each other . We learned that there was 16 coal trains travelling ‘down’ line with 20 empty wagons returning. The EPA agreed to provide written confirmation of these figures.
In relation to the group undertaking a citizen scientist air monitoring project using our hand held units. it became apparent that any research undertaken would have to withstand the riggers of scientific scrutiny. The group’s collective thought prior to this meeting was that we did not have the scientific savvy/skills to warrant spending time monitoring the coal wagons.
The meeting was told the EPA is awaiting delivery of monitors that were being designed to monitor air quality readings at low ground levels, but it was clear they had no plans to commence any trials in the Blue Mountains. The representatives acknowledged that coal wagons in Queensland were covered explaining it could be the result of different types of coal density.
They discussed other air quality issues, such as wood fire smoke in the winter months, in relation to diesel emissions from the trains pulling the coal wagons they agreed these were high in PM 2.5 particulants. They informed the meeting that the State Government was working on a retro fit the diesel engines system to reduce emissions, no time frame was given for this work to be completed.
The representatives said the NSW Government was rolling out a rural air quality monitoring program and suggested that we apply to become part of this initiative. As well as that option they said the EPA could make available a portable air monitoring pod, requiring mains energy, which could be used to begin an general air monitoring program. If the group wanted to become involved in this suggestion we would have to decide on a safe site with access to mains power and the EPA would transport and install the unit. The data from the pod would be become available to the public, and the EPA would undertake maintenance of the pod.
The meeting heard that an air quality study had been commissioned in 2008 by the Blue Mountains City Council and undertaken by Sue Reed, it was agreed to seek this data and use it as the basis of any future air quality studies.
In conclusion the meeting agreed that to undertake a credible air quality study focusing on uncovered coal wagons was out of the group’s scope. As it had been on the initiative of the Blue Mountains Union and Community to undertake this study the meeting agreed that this decision to now focus on a political campaign be taken back to the next BMUC monthly meeting (04/02/18 for ratification.
The local member Trish Doyle has already raised questions in State Parliament about uncovered coal wagons and their impact on the Blue Mountains communities health and air quality. It is expected the government to respond in the near future. The group agreed to keep this issue in the public arena via press releases, as well as approaching prospective State candidates position on covering coal wagons as the State election campaigning commences.
We will investigate further the suggestion to approach the State Government about the Blue Mountains being included in the Rural Air Quality monitoring program as well as seeking a suitable location to site the air monitoring pod.
Peter Lammiman
Cover the Coal Wagons Group.
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