City leaders come out against plan for new coal terminals
SEATTLE -- A plan to build new coal terminals in Bellingham or Longview has its supporters, but some city and state leaders say adding more coal traffic will create health and traffic nightmares.
Coal trains can stretch on for a mile or more, creating a cloud of black dust as the cars shuffle down the tracks.
Seattle City Councilman Mike O'Brien is among those fighting to keep any additional coal trains from rolling through the city.
"And we know that stuff's not good to breathe," he said. " We're talking, combined, about 150 million tons of coal a year coming through the region."
If new terminals are built in Bellingham or Longview, O'Brien said another nine loads of coal will come through the city each day. O'Brien and the rest of the council, along with Mayor Mike McGinn, sent a letter this week asking for an environmental impact statement on the proposal.
O'Brien suggests looking for alternative energy sources, but those in favor of adding terminals claim there's no getting rid of coal.
"It is a dirty commodity, but it's a commodity that's legal to mine and ship," said Mark Lowery of the Northwest Labor Council. "It's in demand across the globe. And I don't know if there's anything that we can actually do to stop it."
Lowery said he agrees with studying the issue and letting science prevail.
"If it doesn't prove to be something that's good, that I care about, then all of us in Northwest Labor, I will withdraw our support," he said.
The Washington State Department of Ecology also wants a full environmental study looking at coal dust, pollution and traffic tie ups along the rails. The Army Corps of Engineers is still in the preliminary process of permitting and is looking at all aspects.
Coal trains can stretch on for a mile or more, creating a cloud of black dust as the cars shuffle down the tracks.
Seattle City Councilman Mike O'Brien is among those fighting to keep any additional coal trains from rolling through the city.
"And we know that stuff's not good to breathe," he said. " We're talking, combined, about 150 million tons of coal a year coming through the region."
If new terminals are built in Bellingham or Longview, O'Brien said another nine loads of coal will come through the city each day. O'Brien and the rest of the council, along with Mayor Mike McGinn, sent a letter this week asking for an environmental impact statement on the proposal.
O'Brien suggests looking for alternative energy sources, but those in favor of adding terminals claim there's no getting rid of coal.
"It is a dirty commodity, but it's a commodity that's legal to mine and ship," said Mark Lowery of the Northwest Labor Council. "It's in demand across the globe. And I don't know if there's anything that we can actually do to stop it."
Lowery said he agrees with studying the issue and letting science prevail.
"If it doesn't prove to be something that's good, that I care about, then all of us in Northwest Labor, I will withdraw our support," he said.
The Washington State Department of Ecology also wants a full environmental study looking at coal dust, pollution and traffic tie ups along the rails. The Army Corps of Engineers is still in the preliminary process of permitting and is looking at all aspects.
