A strong resolution passed unanimously to ban explosive oil trains and coal trains from Edmonds. The council vote was taken after about 40 spoke in favor of the resolution; there were no opposition speakers. The meeting was well attended (100-150), mostly Edmonds citizens. The main concerns were safety from exploding oil trains, halting climate change, and preservation of the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Over the last few years many state residents have been actively working to ban coal and explosive oil trains from our towns. The derailment and subsequent fire, close to home in Mosier, Oregon, motivated Mike Shaw to write letters to every member of our city council requesting a resolution to ban coal and explosive oil trains. That letter had the enthusiastic support of council members: Adrienne Monillas and Michael Nelson drafted the resolution — simple strong language “ban coal and oil trains from Edmonds.” We owe them our thanks, for drafting the resolution and getting a unanimous vote from our council.
The resolution is significant but mostly symbolic. Nevertheless, it is important as an example for other cities to follow. As an Edmonds resident I am proud that our council is early adopter with a few other cities; this action sets the beginning of a wide movement with many more cities joining, and the eventual end to this threat to our lives, property, financial well being and our special environment.
Dennis Lowenthal
Edmonds
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