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Resident raises air-quality and cancer concerns from CSX diesel emissions; council asks staff to contact CSX liaison
Summary
At a Rocky Mount City Council meeting, resident Ed Scenciarelli told the council diesel emissions from idling CSX trains are harming air quality and harming trees; city staff said they will pass the resident's information to the city's CSX liaison and explore next steps, while councilmembers suggested outside partnerships.
Ed Scenciarelli, a resident of South Church Street in Rocky Mount, told the City Council that diesel emissions from CSX trains running and idling near his neighborhood are degrading air quality and harming residents' health. "The CSX train traffic has polluted the air to such a degree that the tree line at the tracks... has also caused most of the trees to either appear dead or are dead," Scenciarelli said during the public-comment period. He added that diesel odors wake his family and that he, as a lung cancer survivor, fears recurrence from continued exposure.
The concern drew responses from councilmembers and city staff. Councilman Blackwell said he agreed with Scenciarelli and asked what the city could do. "What he everything he's saying is the gospel truth," Blackwell said, asking whether the city has enforcement authority. City Manager Elton Daniels told the council the city lacks direct enforcement power over CSX but said he would pass Scenciarelli's information to the city's governmental liaison who coordinates with CSX. "But I will take down the information and reach out to our liaison with CSX," Daniels said.
Councilman J.T. Walker suggested partnering with outside groups to study air quality. "North Carolina Black Alliance. They're also great partners with doing that, air control studies and, air quality, and environmental studies," Walker said. Another councilmember cited local activist Naima Mohammed as a potential resource, saying she has assisted state efforts on pollution in communities of color.
Scenciarelli asked the council to involve federal or state regulators; he said he had contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and cited cancer statistics reported by the American Cancer Society. The council did not take a formal vote but assigned staff to collect Scenciarelli's materials and to contact the city's CSX liaison for follow-up.
The discussion distinguished residents' health concerns and requests for regulatory investigation from formal city authority. City staff noted the city's liaison role is primarily one of communication with CSX and that regulatory enforcement would rest with state or federal agencies.
The resident submitted written material to be shared with the chief for distribution to council and staff, and the manager said staff would follow up with the liaison and report back through appropriate channels.
