King County Council passes coal train resolution

[eridani]

I want to share some good news. Today the Metropolitan King County Council gave its approval to a motion expressing the Council's serious concern about the establishment of new coal export terminals within the states of Washington and Oregon. I was proud to initiate this legislation, to sponsor it, and to vote in favor of this strong statement of concern.

The motion also supports a comprehensive approach to the review of environmental impacts of new coal export facilities and calls for an examination of new and expanded coal leases on federal lands in the Powder River Basin within Wyoming and Montana including a comprehensive review of the greenhouse gas and other air quality effects of continued and expanded coal leasing.

There are currently three proposed coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest in Bellingham, Longview, and Boardman, Oregon. The terminals would be used to handle up to 108 million tons of coal per year for use in overseas facilities. Much of this coal would pass through King County in route to the export terminals.

Burning coal produces the highest greenhouse gas content of any fuel source. The operation of the three proposed coal terminals would nearly double the amount of coal exported by the United States. These proposals will generate about 199 million tons of CO2 per year, more than the proposed Keystone Oil Pipeline. These proposals are significant globally and locally. Locally, concerns have also been raised on the potential impact on the region's air and water quality and traffic congestion that would come from increased train traffic delivering coal to these new terminals.

Much of the coal that will be shipped through the Northwest comes from federal lands in the Powder River Basin. There has not been a comprehensive review of the environmental impacts of coal extraction on climate change.

Coal trains will have negative health and transportation impacts to my constituents while contributing to the significant global threats of the climate crisis. As a region that recognizes the devastating health, economic, and environmental impacts of a rising global climate, we simply cannot support trains that block traffic and expose communities to coal dust in order to export coal that will further contribute to global warming.

Thank you for the opportunity to share this news. I am very proud of the King County Council's action today.

Sincerely,

Larry Phillips, Councilmember
Metropolitan King County Council, District Four
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104-3272
206.296.1004
[e-mail]

[Wounded Bear]

1. Thanks!

Good news indeed.