Challenge to Longview coal terminal contends commissioners failed to properly analyze impacts

Daily Astorian ^ | December 28, 2010 | Daily Astorian

[CedarDave]

LONGVIEW, Wash. - A coalition of conservation and clean energy groups applauded the state's decision to intervene in their challenge to the permit for a coal export terminal in Longview.

The state contends that the Cowlitz County commissioners did not go far enough in considering greenhouse gas emissions outside the immediate boundaries of the project before issuing the permit for construction of the massive coal export facility.

"We are very pleased that the state is calling for full disclosure of the risks to Washington's environment posed by this coal export facility," said Jan Hasselman, an attorney for Earthjustice, who filed the original appeal on behalf of the groups. "We see this appeal as essential to protecting the health and future of Washington."

The proposed export facility would ship 5 million tons of coal to Asia annually, which is roughly equal to the amount of coal burned in the whole state of Washington currently. The coalition said that the permit failed to consider the greenhouse gas impacts of burning coal in Asia; the effects of potentially increasing coal mining; the effects of transporting coal hundreds of miles via train; and transporting the coal via ship to Asia.

[CedarDave]

Left coast Greenies will do anything to shut down US jobs if it conflicts with the way they think about the world. So the export doesn't occur here but both BC, VA and Texas are looking to export coal. And the Chinese will get coal from elsewhere with a likely higher sulfur content than Wyoming low sulfur coal.

[headstamp 2]

“The coalition said that the permit failed to consider the greenhouse gas impacts of burning coal in Asia;”

Absolute insanity.

We are the only country in the world which intentionally locks up its natural resources.

[B Knotts]

There is a consistency in all this. If a regulation imposes a burden that impoverishes Americans, the left supports it.

That is the goal. Transfer wealth from America and the West to the third world. That’s what all this stuff is really about.

[CedarDave]

The enviro-nutter groups quoted in the article:

Earthjustice
Washington Environmental Council
Columbia Riverkeeper

[CedarDave]

I found this article on a non-political hobby website. A sample of the comments there:

Eventually these greenies will eliminate all meaningful jobs. Then what?

OK, so Washington (state) needs to study the environmental impacts in ASIA!? Crazy...

Good grief, glad I don't live on the left coast.

It's good that common sense is still alive and well in the population. I just hope these posters will remember to take action come 2012.

[hoosierham]

We are the only people in the world who allow a vocal radical minority to lock up our resources.

[Melchior]

You must understand that the West Coast greenies (trust fund and red diaper babies, plus the demonic spawn of lawyers and Junior College instructors living in 4,000 sq. ft. pads) are so egomaniacal that they feel they are doing the world a favor when they block any economic development.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

From the comments at the link;

“This is wonderful news! To have the State Dept of Ecology support what we here in Longview have been saying, gives our concerns significance. Once again we are fighting to keep our Columbia River clean and free for all future generations. We still must stop LNG and now we will add a battle against coal.”

[bray]

There is no global warming but does that stop the evironazis from claiming their is to destroy Capitalism?

Pray for the Tea Party Congress