Comments

1
And kill hundreds of kids.

Look, I was invested in the Peabody IPO, you should see the warnings on the prospectus about potential lawsuits.
2
if one can be dispassionate about this issue then it simply doesn't make good regional economic sense; the costs outweigh any presumed rewards (for all but a very out-of-state few). there will -not- be many local jobs involved (~100s at best) and the results will be traffic nightmares, reduced air and water quality, and noise pollution. it ain't worth it. and all the arguments that it'll just get moved to somewhere else, (while maybe sadly true), don't affect this determination. otherwise, if China "leads in solar" (as we're told) lets encourage them to continue along those lines.
3
We must insist on full mitigation! Covers on the coal cars, high speed passenger rail bypass, over and underpasses for all major grade crossings, sound walls and fencing to prevent accidents and contain noise, etc. Make them pay or we'll delay! Eventually the Asian appetite for coal will decline as the world switches to alternative energy. Meanwhile we should make it plain that they will not be allowed to build the terminals without a massive investment in safety and infrastructure paid for by big coal and the shippers.
4
Sightline article on China's appetite for coal. Also looks at other coal exporting terminals and how they're doing:

http://daily.sightline.org/2012/11/01/is…
5
This coal transport proposal is an opportunity for Washington to say no to a profoundly destructive plan. We can't burn the coal and have a livable future: we have to leave it in the ground. I want to see citizens, our organizations, the agencies of the state, and elected officials at every level join together and say no; we are not moving coal through our state. We are in a great position to take the lead on this. It's time to convert to a post-carbon economy and we're starting right here.
6

I have proposed that every ton of coal crossing our borders be taxed and that money be used to fund hydrogen research in Washington State.
7
There's no "b" in Whatcom.
8
@4 thanks, Luke.
9
These increased coal shipments to Asia are the worst threat to our environment facing us today. Burning coal pollutes the air and shipping the coal in such vast quantities will cause increased congestion of our rail lines, slowing down other traffic. In the eastern Washington area where I live we could see as many as 60 more trains per day, with increased diesel exhaust and coal dust as well as traffic delays which could cost lives in the event of a medical emergency or a fire. Coal dust has been found along the tracks hundreds of miles from the mines, along the Columbia River gorge, from the coal trains we already have. There would be even more if the traffic increased, and the risk of a toxic derailment is heightened. There has already been one derailment of a coal train in Franklin County last July. The risks are too great to the environment and human health to allow this project to proceed.

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