Responding to the concerns of citizens in various parts of the Commonwealth about the detrimental effects of coal dust emissions on their quality of life, the General Assembly initiated study of the subject following introduction of legislation at its 1991 Session. Adopted by the Legislature in 1993, Senate Joint Resolution No. 201 continued the Joint Subcommittee (established pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 in 1992) Studying Ways to Reduce Emissions from Coal-Carrying Railroad Cars.

In recent years, some citizens and businesses residing along various railroad lines have reported periodic problems arising from coal dust emissions. Occurring primarily during the hot, dry months of summer, incidents of coal dust blowing from trains have generated complaints of the dust settling on homes, automobiles, decks and outdoor furniture, necessitating their repeated cleaning. Citizens depict the coal dust as a costly nuisance that requires doors and windows to remain closed and children to be kept indoors.

Many complaints of coal dust emissions came from areas of the Commonwealth situated along tracks used for coal transport by Norfolk Southern Railway Company, a large Virginia-based railroad. Responding to the concerns of legislators and their constituents, as well as its interest in reducing material loss during transit, Norfolk Southern retained a consultant to conduct a comprehensive study of the issue. The Joint Subcommittee, at each of its meetings, received updates on the study's progress, and a report was presented to the panel in January of 1994.

Throughout its study, the Joint Subcommittee has endeavored to seek solutions to abate the fugitive coal dust problem without over-solving it, thereby balancing the interests of affected citizens and businesses, rail companies and coal producers, and protecting the Commonwealth's economic vitality. Ongoing evaluation of the issue by the Joint Subcommittee, Norfolk Southern and its consultant, affected residents and other interested parties prompted the panel to recommend continuing its study. the General Assembly concurred at the 1994 Session, adopting Senate Joint Resolution No. 27.