Tag Archives: Columbia River

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Can your community handle 44 million tons of coal?


Speak Out Against the Proposed Longview Coal Export Terminal

Right now the agencies involved in issuing permits are deciding which impacts to consider in their decision-making process. They need to hear from you about why you are concerned about this proposed coal export facility in Longview.

ACTION ALERT

Fight Dirty Energy for a Better, Cleaner Energy Future

WASHINGTON STATE !!!
Two major coal companies want to build the largest coal export terminal in the United States on the Columbia River in Washington. This proposed coal export facility in Longview, WA, would export 44 million tons of coal annually—that’s more than nine times the amount of coal burned each year at the Centralia coal plant.
Right now the agencies involved in issuing permits are deciding which impacts to consider in their decision-making process. They need to hear from you about why you are concerned about this proposed coal export facility in Longview.
Make your voice heard and send an email today.
Moving all that coal from where it’s mined in Montana and Wyoming to the West Coast would cause significant environmental and public health impacts all along the way, including increased coal dust and air pollution, damage to local waterways, increased train and shipping traffic, and more.
Furthermore, the global warming pollution generated from the transport and burning of 44 million tons of coal is equivalent to the annual emissions of 23 typical coal-fired power plants. We are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change and, nationally, we are making progress toward a clean energy future. But like the name says, global warming is a global problem—it makes no sense to encourage more coal burning abroad as we are cutting our coal use at home.
The coal companies proposing this project don’t want the effects on our climate or on those communities stretching across the hundreds of miles of the train route included in the permitting decision. Your voice counts.
Send a message today and tell decision makers that a supersized coal export terminal isn’t the energy future we need in the Northwest.
The proposed Longview coal terminal is a step in the wrong direction, and one that has real consequences for communities across the West. Let’s stand up against these dirty plans and demand a better, cleaner energy future.
Take Action Today!

Sincerely, Jason Barbose Jason Barbose Western States Campaign Manager Union of Concerned Scientists
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Reject massive oil port in Vancouver, WA

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Port of Vancouver : Don’t open the floodgates to dirty oil ~~ Reject Tesoro‘s proposed oil export facility

www.change.org

Vancouver, Washington is my home. I live here with my nine-year-old daughter, and I am so proud of my city for being a leader in supporting safe, healthy communities. But, right now, oil giant Tesoro is proposing a new project that would transform the Port of Vancouver into one of the West Coast’s largest oil ports — and would drastically increase the carbon pollution fueling droughts, wildfires, and severe storms all over the world.

Tesoro’s proposal would potentially ship up to 360,000 barrels of crude oil every day along the Columbia River and would release more than 56 million metric tons of carbon pollution each year, as much as almost 12 million cars worth of greenhouse gas pollution.

I want the best for my daughter. I want her to live in a community that is safe, healthy, and forward-thinking. If the Port of Vancouver Commissioners approve this application from Tesoro, my family and friends will be at a greater risk for asthma and other health problems. We’ll be at a greater risk, too, of devastating oil spills and environmental contamination.

The dangers from this oil export facility are too great. Earlier this month, an oil train derailed and exploded in the Quebec town of Lac-Megantic, killing several people and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes due to the fire and explosions. The proposed Tesoro oil export facility would carry the exact same kind of oil that tragically burned the Quebec town. The terminal would put more than 1,400 trains every year — four full trains every day — on route through Vancouver neighborhoods.

And even if we are lucky enough to avoid a tragedy like the horrific explosion in Quebec, this project is still a disaster for our community. It would increase the production of — and pollution from — dirty fossil fuels across the country. Right now, Vancouver is a leading shipper of wind turbine components. If this proposal is approved, instead of being a leader, exporting renewable energy solutions, Vancouver would become a leading pusher of the fossil fuels that are driving global climate change.

We can make a difference. Three years ago, the Port of Vancouver Commission rejected a proposal for a coal port after the community spoke out. With enough public outcry, we can make sure they make the right decision again.

At a time when we desperately need solutions that protect our climate and communities, this proposal is a major step backward. Please, send a message to the Vancouver Port Commissioners and tell them to reject Tesoro’s dangerous proposal.

O Canada !

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stop coal thru the Columbia Gorge!


Sierra Club - Explore, enjoy and protect the planet
 

Tell Governor Kitzhaber and the DEQ to stop coal through the Columbia Gorge!
Columbia River Gorge Columbia River Gorge Photo Courtesy of Brian Pasko
Send Your Letter

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a draft permit for Ambre Energy‘s Morrow Pacific project, which would send 8 million metric tons of coal from Montana through eastern Washington and down the Columbia River every year.

If this final permit gets approved, Governor Kitzhaber and the DEQ will have allowed the first coal export project in the Northwest to begin construction. And Ambre Energy could start building within months of getting this permit approved.

Millions of tons of coal floating down the Columbia and shipped through our towns and cities via rail, for export to Asia will threaten our health, safety and environment. We have to stop it!

Tell Governor Kitzhaber and DEQ Director Dick Pedersen that we are counting on them to do the right thing and stop this coal export proposal from moving forward.

The cumulative impacts and the risks from mine to power plant must be considered in this project. The Morrow Pacific coal project would result in coal dust and diesel emissions that that will violate Oregon’s air quality standards — and contribute dangerous carbon pollution to our atmosphere.

The increase in barge traffic on the Columbia River would harm salmon, river recreation, and navigation. DEQ should wait for a full analysis of the impacts before considering any permits. It is a waste of taxpayer money to move forward without all the facts laid on the table.

We need Governor Kitzhaber and DEQ Director Dick Pedersen to stand up and protect Oregon families. Send them a message now!

Oregon’s last and only coal plant burns 3 million tons of coal each year — and by 2020 it will be off of coal. Allowing Ambre’s Morrow Pacific project to move forward would be like taking three steps backward for that one step forward.

This is a bad deal regardless of what state you live in. If approved our Northwest way of life will be in jeopardy.

Tell the Governor and DEQ: Stop the Morrow Pacific coal project now!

Thanks for all you do to protect the environment,

Laura Stevens Beyond Coal Campaign
Sierra Club
P.S. After you take action, be sure to forward this alert to your friends and colleagues!