In reading about this, I would say that the primary opposition is against the sudden increase in coal train traffic needed to serve the proposed export facilities. Another layer of opposition in a larger context is the elimination of fossil fuel energy worldwide.
Here is a link expressing some of the sentiments:
From the link:
“Full Speed Ahead for Coal Train Opposition"
"The battle over exporting coal is a crossroads for the Pacific Northwest. Will the region stay its course toward clean energy, or become a global trafficking hub for the most dangerous fossil fuel?”
http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/its-your-body/stiff-opposition-to-coal-in-the-pacific-northwest
In recent threads on the diminishing coal traffic, many took solace in the belief that the export market would take up the slack as the domestic market was regulated out of existence. That hope raised the obvious question of whether the anti-coal opposition would be content to let coal mining continue if we sold it to China instead of burning it here. I think we now see the answer to that question.
Here's a link to my brief roundup of the Northwest coal export dock situation as of about six months ago:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/sb/ra0312/index.php?startid=17
What has changed since then is that Port of Morrow has moved ahead a few more notches, gaining more forward support from local agencies and media than any of the other proposals so far. Two companies have already signed on to build the barges.
With several Northwest political positions up for grabs in this election season, and citizens divided over this issue like any other, it's no surprise that my son recently noticed three separate anti-coal-train billboards alongside BNSF's main line just east of Spokane.
Curious John The Sierra club started this. They have a no coal export policy for the US West Coast. But there is a major coal export facility at Vancouver BC just across the border. To stop coal exports they have to stop US trains from going up our line Everett, WA - Vancouver BC since our line intersects with the British Columbia owned line to the coal terminal.
Why does the Sierra Club oppose the coal export on the west coast?
Are there new export facilities being planned on the west coast that the Sierra Club opposes?
If so, why focus on stopping the coal trains rather than focusing on stopping the export facility?
Heard some blabbing on PBS about this...NIMBY's claim high amounts of coal dust are bad...don't realize most of it settles to the bottom of the cars and not fly off into the air. Notwithstanding, there is some flying into the air and a wetting down with water or over cover of something heavier should take care of that. Railroad lines usually have been in place for a long, long time and it is hard to close them or get rid of them. NIMBY's don't look at the alternative: hundreds of heavy, heavy coal trucks per hour tramping down the highway...more pollution from the tractors than from a 100 car coal train, more damage to the roads than a train on its own tracks, higher ...hell, we're rail enthusiasts here, we know the economics...
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
Sounds like these folks may be the same bunch of NIMBY's that made a total embarrassment of themselves at STB in the late nineties at Kent WA when BNSF re-opened Stampede pass. (and it appears that they are not any smarter, all emotion and hyperbole with little truth in the facts presented. )
Curious John I went to a forum of opposition to coal trains here and listened to their demands and arguments.
I went to a forum of opposition to coal trains here and listened to their demands and arguments.
What exactly is the controversy about? Is it related to the proposal for a coal export terminal in Seattle? Why is there suddenly opposition to coal trains?
I'm no expert by any means. But off the cuff..........
1 even at 25 mph it would be like 4 min. tops. Less then 2 at 55-60mph
2. Coal dust breathed??? Loco emissions??? what was the point????
3. 50 trains a day??? is there another Powder River out there I don't know about??? The total PRB output today is what? 60 something or so.
4. I guess if the locol constituants time is worth nothing. I mean if 50 trains are going to tie up crossings for 20 min. each......
BANANA ---- Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything
We have reached the point where you can assert anything in opposition to ???? and never have to provide documentation for your assertions. These people are -mostly- bananas.
Our congressman is on the House Transportation Committee and I think he should hire a bodyguard because they were especially angry at him. They want the Interstate Commerce Act repealed.
They had the following facts on trains which I thought I'd check out with you train experts.
1. The average unit train blocks a crossing for 20 minutes. I think the coal trains go through town at 40mph so I think this does not apply to us.
2. Diesel particulates from a GE or EMD engine are more toxic than coal dust.
3. 50 trains a day are coming. That is only 2 per hour so I don't think they would block the crossing very much. I don't know if our single track line can handle 50 trains a day. Our line is BNSF Everett, WA - Vancouver BC.
4. Building overpasses or underpasses is a waste of taxpayer money. I wonder because if you have a very busy street I think it would pencil out.
If any of you are ship experts, they had the following facts on ships.
All empty ships are ballasted with oil so a major oil spill can happen if the ship collides or sinks.
The sound a ship makes underwater is many decibles above what is comfortable for Orcas which we have a large number which leaves them disorientated and in danger of drowning.
They also want a repeal of the Eminent Domain law.
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