Over the years the people of Washington have witnessed their share of natural disasters. The destructive forces of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mudslides are reminders of mother nature’s awesome powers which are beyond our control. However, human-caused disasters are within our control. When we route exploding oil trains and polluting coal trains through heavily populated cities and towns across our state, we are inviting disaster.
Imagine a mudslide, crash or derailment causing a mile-long oil train carrying 3 million gallons of crude oil to explode in a populated area. The death toll would be high, the number of injured higher, the environmental damage irreparable and costly. We’ve seen repeatedly that corporations externalize their costs onto citizens and never adequately compensate communities for the destruction they cause. Remember e.g. Exxon Valdez, BP Gulf spill, and West Virginia’s poisoned water.
Why do we allow these corporations to endanger and harm us? We don’t profit from it. The oil and coal are exported mostly to China and other Asian countries which will burn the fuel and blow the pollution back on us increasing global climate change. More disaster! We are not powerless if we act together to urge our governor, our Legislature, our county and local governments to oppose allowing oil and coal trains to run through our state. Act now.
Gena DiLabio
Mount Vernon
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
