From Montana to the coast, coal dust threatens humans health

Eric Shew News

Sightline Institude : Tarika Powell and Samir Junejo A new study shows Bellingham and Longview terminals would harm communities along rail route. This article is part of the series A Crackdown on Coal Dust Update 4/4/16: The Gateway Pacific Terminal project has requested a temporary suspension of the proposal’s environmental review process. If the coal industry gets its way, the Columbia River Gorge …

State ecologists note oil terminal’s dangers, but feds miss the memo on coal facility

Eric Shew News

Portland Business Journal While Washington ecologists noted environmental concerns in an impact report released today on the proposed Westway oil terminal in Hoquiam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ignored pollution dangers from the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminals coal facility in Longview. So said groups that are tracking the projects in analyses released today. The Westway Terminal Co.’s project would …

Over a quarter of a million public comments against largest coal export terminal in North America

Marcela Gara News

Public Comment Period Ends As Community Concerns Grow Over Fossil Fuel Transport Given Recent Oil Train Derailment on Columbia River  Olympia, WA:   Residents traveling up from Longview, WA delivered public comments to the Washington Dept. of Ecology at the end of the 45 day public comment process.   The agency should receive over 257,000 comments calling on the Dept. of Ecology …

New Assessment Finds Emissions From Proposed Coal Terminal Would be ‘Significant And Unavoidable’

Eric Shew News

By Natasha Geiling APR 29, 2016 2:45 PM Cowlitz County and the Washington State Department of Ecology have finally released the draft of their long-awaited Environmental Impact Statement regarding a proposed coal export terminal in Longview, Washington. Located just two hours north of Portland, Oregon, along the Columbia River, the proposed terminal would ship a maximum of 44 million metric tons …

Study finds coal trains emit nearly twice the pollution as freight trains

Natalie Jamerson News

UW study in the Columbia River Gorge also finds 1 in 20 coal trains is a “superduster” November 23, 2015: Coal trains emit nearly double the amount of pollution compared to freight trains, according to a report released by the University of Washington today. The results of the study confirm what Gorge landowners, tribal fishers, and recreationists have observed firsthand …

POLLING: Strong Majority of Washington Voters Oppose Coal Export Proposals

Becca Shew News

Results confirm significant increase in statewide opposition as regional ad campaign begins. LONGVIEW, Wash.–A broad majority of Washington voters across the political spectrum opposes proposals to ship coal by rail for export overseas, according to new results from a telephone survey of 1,200 voters. Significantly, opposition has grown by 18 percent since 2012, and 40 percent strongly oppose the proposals—far …

Northern Cheyenne officials reject coal railroad plans

Eric Shew News

The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council voiced unanimous opposition Monday to the controversial Tongue River Railroad, considered crucial to developing Otter Creek coal in southeast Montana. The council, citing concerns about damage to tribal culture and the environment, voted 9-0 to oppose the $403 million railroad proposed by partners Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Arch Coal, and candy bar magnate Forrest Mars, …

City of Missoula joins growing list opposed to Tongue River Railroad

Eric Shew News

The city of Missoula is asking the federal Surface Transportation Board to consider the local health and environmental impacts of a proposed Montana railroad and the increased coal traffic that could result if it’s built. By adopting the resolution Monday night, Missoula’s City Council joins several local and state entities in arguing that the additional coal trains stemming from the …

Coal trains kill Cold Trains: Fruit delivery service shuts down as rail congestion heats up

Allison Roberts News

Congestion from coal and oil trains seems to be the key factor forcing closure of a prominent express rail service that carries Washington fruit and produce to East Coast markets. Cold Train on Thursday announced it is shutting down its express service from Quincy, Wash. because restrictions in the BNSF Railway schedule changed delivery guarantees from three days to six …