Coal Exports

Governors' letter reignites NW coal exports debate

Bellamy Pailthorp — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:07:55 +0000

The debate over proposed coal export terminals in the Northwest is heating up again after the governors of Washington and Oregon sent a letter to the White house on the issue.

Northwest governors ask White House to review coal exports

The Associated Press — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:40:47 +0000

The governors of Washington and Oregon are urging the White House to evaluate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from leasing and exporting the nation's coal.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber called on the federal government to examine the consequences coal leasing and coal exports will have on global greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. They sent a joint letter Monday to the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

Coal opponents outnumber proponents at Seattle hearing

Bellamy Pailthorp — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:24:24 +0000

It was one of the biggest outpourings of environmental activism that Seattle has seen since the WTO protests more than a decade ago.

Crowds gearing up for Seattle hearing on Bellingham terminal

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Seattle is bracing for a big hearing.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out Thursday for a chance to testify about the proposed coal export terminal at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham.

Earthday founder reflects on environmental activism in Obama’s second term

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Though they say it’s better than any Republican alternative, many activists have been disappointed in the environmental policies of the Obama administration.

Now that the election’s over, we caught up with one of the state’s most prominent environmental thinkers to get his take on what’s in store for the next four years.

Study: Cherry Point coal terminal would snarl Seattle traffic, cause dangerous delays

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 04:05:30 +0000

The City of Seattle continues to build its case against huge new coal
trains that would rumble through town if an export terminal is built
rally tomorrow. They’re trying to stop construction on a proposed shipping terminal at Cherry Point. It would handle millions of tons of coal from western states, to be used as a power source in China.

New voices in debate over Northwest coal export terminals

Bellamy Pailthorp — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:00:00 +0000

More voices are chiming in on the debate over proposed coal terminals in the Northwest. A new report adds sports fishermen and tribes to the opposition. It comes less than a week after proponents launched a campaign touting the benefits coal exports could bring.

Coal spill raises questions about boosting exports

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:03:28 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. - This week crews are cleaning up about 30 train cars full of coal that overturned near Mesa , in Eastern Washington. The accident has raised questions about proposed increased train shipments of coal through the nearby Columbia River Gorge.

Huge machinery had to be trucked in from the Tri-Cities to clean up the black dusty mess in the rural burg east of Yakima. Car loads of coal overturned and damaged the tracks there.

Philip Rigdon is the deputy director of the Yakama Nation’s Department of Natural Resources.

Spokane joins Seattle in questioning coal trains

The Associated Press — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:38:55 +0000

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane City Council has unanimously approved a resolution requesting further study of the effects of coal trains moving through the city.

In May, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the development of coal-export terminals in Washington state over concerns about increased train traffic and potential harm to health and the environment.

Seattle opposes coal-export ports

The Associated Press — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:55:41 +0000

The Seattle City Council has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the development of coal-export terminals in Washington state over concerns about increased train traffic and potential harm to health and the environment.

Tuesday's vote comes as the federal government is reviewing the first of at least six port facilities proposed in Washington and Oregon to ship coal from the Powder River basin of Montana and Wyoming to thirsty markets in Asia.

Seattle gearing up to oppose coal exports from northwest ports

Bellamy Pailthorp — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:51:30 +0000

For some it’s the next big source of high-wage jobs; for others, an environmental nightmare: At least 9 trains a day could soon rumble through Seattle, carrying coal to export terminals in Washington and Oregon.

Cities from Missoula, Mont., to Edmonds have passed resolutions that call the idea into question. Seattle is now poised to join them with one of its own.

EPA wants full review of NW coal-export projects

The Associated Press — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:12:32 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency wants the Army Corps of Engineers to do a thorough review of the impacts of exporting U.S. coal through Northwest ports.

The EPA wants the Corps to address the overall impacts to human health and the environment from increases in greenhouse gas emissions, rail traffic and mining.

New revelations heat up Longview coal port fight

Liam Moriarty — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:25:53 +0000

Previously undisclosed documents are raising questions about whether the Australian company trying to build a new coal export facility in Longview has tried to snooker local officials.

According to an article in the New York Times, documents show officials at Millennium Bulk Terminals “tried to limit what state officials knew about its long-term goals during the early permitting process last year.”

Montana governor presses state to okay coal shipments

Tom Banse — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:10:48 +0000

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer is trying to clear the way for coal exports through the Pacific Northwest. He’s worried Washington state will block a proposed Columbia River shipping terminal for Montana and Wyoming coal. Schweitzer is making a hastily scheduled trip to southwest Washington Wednesday.