Idling diesel locomotives create pollution near my home

Last week, the American Lung Association published its annual State of the Air report. I was disappointed but not surprised by the poor rankings our region continues to receive. I am acutely aware of the high levels of soot that plague my community.

I live in McKeesport, right above a railroad yard. I am especially concerned by the locomotives that idle for hours, right below my home and neighborhood. I understand that diesel locomotives don’t use antifreeze so they need to idle when the temperature is below freezing, but there have been many occasions when they were idling during warm weather.

There have been plenty of times when these awful diesel emissions have forced me back into the house on a beautiful day or have kept me awake as they seep into my home at night.

Countless calls to CSX over the years have done nothing to help. I understand they have a job to do, but they can’t continue to operate like this. At a minimum, they should not allow trains to idle when the temperature is above freezing. If they were truly a good neighbor to McKeesport, they would move operations to a location that is not directly affecting a residential area.

Even better: They should replace their old, dirty diesel locomotives for clean-burning, alternatively fueled ones, which we know exist. RON OLESKA

McKeesport