Huge Rally, Big Success

Allison Roberts News

Hundreds Join Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Rally Against Exporting Coal Through Pacific Northwest to Asia Voices rise up to reject dirty coal View photos from the rally May 7th, 2012, Portland, OR– Flanked by hundreds of activists in Oregon’s largest demonstration opposing exporting coal, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave an impassioned call for a halt to the export of …

The Facts about Kinder Morgan

Allison Roberts News

In January, Kinder Morgan—a giant energy conglomerate—announced plans to use an Oregon port on the Columbia River to export 30 million tons of coal annually to China and other Asian markets. Many in the Northwest worry about the health risks, pollution, and economic risks that are entailed by the plans. Already tribes and environmental organizations are raising serious concerns about handling …

EDITORIAL: Huge coal-export terminal needs rigorous environmental, health and traffic reviews

Allison Roberts News

Plans for the massive coal-export operation at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham, deserve the broadest possible environmental review, plus the additional detailed analysis of a health-impact assessment. The Gateway Pacific Terminal Project proposed by SSA Marine invites the widest possible scrutiny, because nine 1.5 mile-long coal trains will rumble through communities around the state each day before they reach the …

Increased Coal Train Traffic Could Mean Bad News For Public Health

Allison Roberts News

Box car after box car full of black rock, settled into the shape of bread loaves in uncovered containers, rumbles along the Bellingham waterfront. This is one of hundreds of communities that have grown up along the railways in the Northwest. If more coal is exported, that could mean more trains like these coming through towns on their way to export …

Wyoming coal to Asia draws hopes, opposition

Allison Roberts News

“Wyoming producers are increasingly hoping Asia’s booming demand for Powder River Basin coal will cover a slide in domestic need. But there’s a problem. The West Coast, home to few port facilities capable of shipping coal, is choking sales to Asia…. Opposition to the coal shipments is rising on a number of fronts, even as the ink dries on agreements …

Coal Export Terminal Opponents Submit Petition

Allison Roberts News

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Some Washington citizens are voicing opposition about plans to build three new coal export terminals in their communities. Opponents of those proposals delivered more than 40,000 signatures to the state capitol in Olympia  Wednesday. Toni Montgomery lives in Vancouver, Washington. She says coal trains already pass by her house on their way to export terminals. “Who’s going …