Railroad pressed to control coal dust

State environmental regulators say the Alaska Railroad is proposing insufficient measures to prevent black dust from spreading from its coal loading facility in Seward.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation cited the state-owned railroad for two emissions violations in April after scores of residents complained of heavy emissions during a prolonged spell of dry, windy weather last winter.

The agency has given the railroad a Sept. 19 deadline to submit more details of dust controls at the facility.

Railroad officials say improvements have been made since the notice of violation and their upcoming response will outline more clearly the measures taken.

Railroad spokeswoman Wendy Lindskoog said officials also want to meet with regulators in Seward, "so they can see for themselves the improvements made."