LATEST NEWS ON COAL TRAIN RESISTANCE IN THE NORTHWEST…
Opposition to coal exports is increasing throughout the NW!
- NEW: Great 2 min. YouTube video from Columbia Riverkeeper:
“Illegal Coal Pollution in the Columbia River“ - NEW: BIG COAL GETS A ONE-TWO PUNCH IN ONE DAY: MAY 9, 2013…KAPOW! #1: Kinder Morgan pulls out of St. Helens coal project“This is another huge victory for the people of Oregon and another blow to the coal companies,” said Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director for Columbia Riverkeeper and a member of the group Power Past Coal, in a statement. “The evidence is in that dirty coal export plans are not viable in the Pacific Northwest.“Now families across the Northwest can breathe easier knowing that the largest coal export terminal proposed in the State of Oregon is off the table. Another one bites the dust.”BLOW #2: Salem 2013: Another blow to coal?On what’s already been a big day for coal opponents, the Oregon House has provided even more reason to celebrate!The House passed Senate Bill 242, a measure that reaffirms a 2009 policy aiming to reduce the amount of coal used in Oregon’s power supply. The bill passed by a 44-15 vote and now goes to Gov. John Kitzhaber for his expected signature.
- LEGAL ACTION TO FIGHT BIG COAL IN THE NORTHWEST!
Sierra Club plans to sue railroads, coal companies over coal dust pollution in Northwest - Companies like Arch, Ambre, and Peabody want to ship the coal buried under the United States to Asia, releasing disastrous amounts of carbon pollution, just to line their own pockets. This expansion in US coal exports could release more carbon pollution than any other new fossil fuel project in the United States, according to a new report Greenpeace released in January. MORE
- COURT VICTORY FOR GROUPS FIGHTING COAL EXPORTS!
Sierra Club wins records ruling on Coos Bay coal export plansBY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS – January 31, 2013
COOS BAY — The Oregon chapter of The Sierra Club has won the latest round in its effort to get public records from the Port of Coos Bay about plans to export coal. (more below)
Our work to bring to light the dangers to our air and water of exporting coal through Oregon is unfunded. That’s why we need your support! Please donate to Beyond Toxics today. You have the option of designating what campaign or project you’d like your money to go towards. - Bipartisan Pair Of Senators Calls For Investigation Into U.S. Taxpayer Losses From Coal Exports By Public Lands Team of ThinkProgress – Jan 4, 2013
- More than 2,000 attend coal terminal hearing in Seattle – Seattle mayor commissions study on rail impacts By CRAIG WELCH AND BRIAN M. ROSENTHAL — THE SEATTLE TIMES
- NPR Report: Is It Morally Wrong For U.S. To Export Coal? by MARTIN KASTE (December 28, 2012)
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST COAL TRAINS!
TIMELINE OF SUCCESS (news/document links included):
February 2012: Along with the Sierra Club, Beyond Toxics files a records request with the Port of Coos Bay
July 6, 2012: Beyond Toxics Exec. Director, Lisa Arkin, presents to Eugene City Club on health risks associated with the threat of coal train shipment of coal throughout the NW. (link opens an mp3 audio file)
Aug. 2, 2012: Along with several citizens and local members of the Sierra Club, Beyond Toxics visits with staff from Sen. Merkley’s office in Eugene to show support for his work towards a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
Alison Guzman and Bob Tsim join the parade to protest coal trains.
Aug. 25, 2012: Beyond Toxics and No Coal Eugene joined to organize an entry in the Eugene Celebration parade.
Aug. 26, 2012: Beyond Toxics Exec. Director, Lisa Arkin publishes a Guest Editorial on the coal trains issue in the Eugene Register-Guard
Over 1200 signatures opposing coal trains were delivered to Congressman DeFazio’s office
Sept. 5, 2012: Beyond Toxics staff and local members of Sierra Club hand over more than 1200 signatures from CREDOmobile opposing coal trains to Congressman DeFazio’s office. We encouraged DeFazio to support our call for a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.
Sept. 7, 2012: Beyond Toxics and Falling Sky Brewing hosts a gathering of anti-coal activists to have an organizing dialogue. Afterwards, many attendees walk to the City Council meeting to offer testimony at the public forum.
Sept. 16, 2012: the Eugene Register-Guard has a feature article on the front page of their Sunday edition featuring an in-depth interview with Beyond Toxics Communications Manager, John Jordan-Cascade
Lisa Arkin leads a march to a City Council meeting – Oct. 8, 2012
Oct. 8, 2012: Beyond Toxics organizes a march and rally to Eugene City Council work session on coal trains issue
October 11, 2012: Beyond Toxics staff visits with staff from Sen. Wyden’s office in Eugene to encourage support for a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and request a Comprehensive Health Assessment as well.
Oct. 17, 2012: Beyond Toxics staff offer important testimony (along with many other opponents!) to Lane Co. Commissioners on potential economic impacts to Lane Co. (issue was tabled by the Commissioners)
Oct. 23, 2012: Eugene City Council votes 5-3 in favor of Counselor Alan Zelenka’s resolution – The R-G reported that after the vote, City Councilor Betty Taylor said, “We can’t stop it, but we can certainly express an opinion. Whatever we can do to stop this, we should do. I thought we should vote on this the first time it came up,” Taylor said. “Definitely we should add our voice to those people who are standing up for the environment, the health of people and common sense.”
Please contact your elected leaders to let them know your gratitude or disappointment with their vote: Eugene’s Mayor and City Council contact information.
See who has supported the City Council resolution…
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October 2012: Thanks to the Register-Guard for consistently high quality coverage of this important issue!
Jobs, environment at core of coal debate
Speakers discuss the pros and cons of shipping the fuel source through Eugene
BY EDWARD RUSSO | The Register-Guard (Oct. 9, 2012)
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ACTION RESOURCES
- City of Eugene Ward Map – find your City Councilor!
- Eugene Mayor and City Council Contact Information
- Excerpt from our Executive Director’s letter to Eugene’s Mayor and City Council: “Beyond Toxics wishes to express our strong support for Commissioner Zelenka’s proposal to restrict the export of coal by train through Eugene’s rail yard and our neighborhoods in West Eugene. We hope that the City Council will pass this resolution and send a message to the state and federal government that mining, transporting and shipping coal overseas is bad for Eugene and for Oregon.”
- Read Lisa Arkin’s full letter
- River Road resident and folk singer/songwriter Laura Kemp’s letter to her City Councilor on the issue of coal trains and the risk to her neighborhood.
- Executive Director Lisa Arkin’s presentation on The Health Impacts of Coal to the Eugene City Club 7-6-2012
Background on the promised-then-postponed Eugene City Council forums…
- City delays vote on coal trains – Mayor Kitty Piercy and the council have been asked to hear statements from Port of Coos Bay officials By Edward Russo, Register-Guard | July 15, 2012
- Email received by our office 8/21/2012 from Eugene City Manager’s Office
- BT BLOG: “Coal trains and beloved local spots” by Lisa Arkin on August 22, 2012
- BT BLOG: “Victory for small (and honest) non-profits in the battle against the giant (and manipulative) coal industry!” by Lisa Arkin on July 26, 2012
- BT BLOG: “Stopping coal: A renewed moral imperative” by Lisa Arkin on 7/11/12
- BT BLOG: “The economics of exporting coal through Oregon” by John Jordan-Cascade on July 4, 2012
What are the risks if the Northwest becomes one of the largest coal handling region in North America? Over 150 million tons of coal is proposed for export across the Northwest and a terminal proposed in Coos Bay could bring 2 full coal trains through Eugene daily.
Learn more at www.PowerPastCoal.org
Stop Coal in Oregon Supporters
(Name)
John Jordan-Cascade Melody Carr
Gina Thomas Joyce Gudger
Jesse Gehrke Karen Beasley
Ms Charlotte Sahnow Barbara Sklar
Mark Van Ryzin Philip Smith
Laura Kemp Virginia Oram
Mary Wall Pam Wooddell
Wayne Lottinville Tim Forester
Tim Kiley Diane Durrett
Polly Habliston Laura Ohanian
Robin Bloomgarden Rich InLove
Madeline Smith Jan Nelson
Catherine Heising Jennifer McAuley
Aaron Richards Mike Brinkley
William Ward Tim Kiley
James Clarkson Margot Fetz
Suzanne Kelley Leigh H.
Anne Hohenemser Mary Wall
Paul Bodin Ei Thomas
Karuna Gatton Charlotte Sahnow
Karen Suwinski Tim Greathouse
Amy Danielson Lorri Goodman
Sharon Castle Nayma Glenn
Robert Roth Gwyneth Iredale
Juan Carlos Valle Lisa Warnes
Ellen Bridges Chuck Mitchell
Dan Robinson Evelyn McConnaughey
Susan Archbald Bob Becker
Alayna Linde Sarah Mazze
Won’t you join us in imagining, and working for, a world beyond toxics?
Beyond Toxics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Please consider giving a gift of a Beyond Toxics membership to a friend or family member!
