A stronger voice on coal

To oppose a coal-export facility is to become expert at Whac-A-Mole. As one export mole is mallet-ed back (consider the canceled RailAmerica Project at Gray’s Harbor) another mole rears up. In addition to the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point — a job-generating proposal that could gum rail traffic in Snohomish and Skagit counties — there is the Millennium Bulk terminal in Longview.

In Oregon, there is the Morrow Pacific Terminal Project with transfer sites at the Port of St. Helen’s north of Portland and at the Port of Morrow in Boardman. Two other proposals, including one at Coos Bay, are still in the whiteboard phase.

Except for Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, however, the Northwesterners with the biggest mallets aren’t playing.

In April, Kitzhaber wrote the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, demanding a comprehensive and programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Oregon governor advanced a non-parochial approach, in his words, “to look at the unprecedented number of coal export proposals pending in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the potential effects in this country of the use of this coal in Asia.”

China’s energy appetite, fueled by the world’s second-largest economy, will intensify, a reality confirmed by former Ambassador Jon Huntsman last week during a visit to the University of Washington. Similarly, China and East Asia will innovate, aping the United States and its shrinking domestic demand for coal. Less expensive, cleaner natural gas and renewables are eclipsing fossil fuel.

Footnote Kitzhaber’s boldness with a smaller toolbox than Washington’s. Oregon doesn’t benefit from a State Environmental Policy Act that demands permitting agencies initiate thorough review of a project’s potential environmental impact. And many non-electeds, such as Washington’s Ecology Director, Ted Sturdevant, have been asking tough questions. Sturdevant sent a letter to the Corps calling for a cumulative impacts review and EIS on the Port of Morrow project. Now the political class, Kitzhaber notwithstanding, need to exhibit vision.

During the 2012 gubernatorial race, Governor-elect Inslee embraced a cumulative impacts analysis of coal export facilities, consistent with his pro-environmental record in Congress. Now, the governor-to-be is staying mum, just when a strong, clear voice is required. Writing in Publicola on Tuesday, Inslee presented his environmental agenda. Managing coal exports was a sin of omission.

Inslee might want to pipe up and fill the political vacuum. He can even participate in the scoping meeting to gauge community interest in Cherry Point on Dec. 13 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center, from 4 to 7 p.m. The coal elephant isn’t going away.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.