Petersburg Advocates Launch Air Quality Tracking Near Compressor Station

Petersburg: Lynn Godfrey, an environmental advocate with the Sierra Club, noticed a lack of pollution data in Petersburg. This caught her attention while she was looking into a local factory expansion that could increase pollution in the area.

The Petersburg Compressor Station, which is just outside the city, is close to homes and apartments. The expansion is expected to finish by the end of 2024, raising concerns about its impact on the community.

In late 2024, Godfrey teamed up with the Petersburg NAACP and a local nonprofit called Petersburg is Growing. They started the Community Air Monitoring Program to keep an eye on air quality and pollution levels in the city.

Petersburg already struggles with health issues, having the highest asthma hospitalization rate in Virginia and the lowest life expectancy. Godfrey emphasized that adding more pollution could worsen these problems.

She believes that every bit of pollution prevented is a step in the right direction for future generations. However, without proper tracking, the community can’t fully understand the pollution they face.

In October, they collaborated with a Virginia State University professor who was researching local air pollution. Together, they set up air quality sensors around the city, including two near the compressor station.

Godfrey mentioned that they are still in the early stages but are making progress. Their focus is on educating local youth, especially African American youth, about the effects of pollution and how to use the technology.

The sensors are operational, but it will take time to gather enough data for meaningful insights. The real-time air quality data is available online for the public to access.

If you live near the compressor station and want an air quality sensor at your home, you can reach out to Lynn Godfrey or Matthew Whalen for assistance.