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Coal ports

Coal exports could block passenger-rail expansion

Tue, May 8, midnight

By Floyd McKay

The corporations involved with a proposed Bellingham-area coal export facility could get a nearly free ride on rail upgrades. Or the coal traffic might just kill hopes for a greener form of travel.

Bellingham park faces big changes from coal-train traffic

Tue, May 8, midnight

By Floyd McKay

Expanding rail capacity would mean shrinking a popular park.

Coal export plan takes an unlikely hit

Fri, May 4, midnight

By Floyd McKay

Environmentalists received an assist from an unlikely source, Portland General Electric Co.

Attention PSE: coal plant in need of analysis

Fri, Apr 27, 2 a.m.

By Eric de Place

Puget Sound Energy customers may soon be paying for the costs of upgrading a coal power plant in Montana they've never heard of. Is it worth it?

The coal port issue is spreading all over the Northwest

Wed, Apr 25, 2 a.m.

By Daniel Jack Chasan

With a new contender, on the Columbia River near Boardman, joining the parade, those concerned about widespread impacts are pushing for a comprehensive EIS process that will sweep lots of towns and politicians into an epic debate.

Coos Bay's dirty little (coal) secret

Wed, Apr 11, 2 a.m.

By Daniel Jack Chasan

The port of Coos Bay, Ore. admits it's in talks with a company interested in developing the site into a coal terminal, but it won't say who. Critics of the shadowy project say the port is trying to avoid facing the potential health and environmental impacts.

Coal port advocates narrow the range of environmental impacts

Wed, Mar 21, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

Gateway Pacific Terminals, the entity behind Bellingham's proposed Cherry Point coal port, is moving ahead with permitting but dodging opponents pushing for an environmental review covering a wider geography. Another battle heats up over economic impacts and displaced jobs.

Study questions coal's value to Bellingham

Wed, Mar 7, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

As an environmental review approaches, opponents and supporters of exporting coal to China are angling to shape the perception of how a proposed facility will affect Bellingham and even cities like Seattle and Edmonds.

Why a new invasion of tankers threatens Northwest waters

Tue, Mar 6, 7:08 a.m.

By Daniel Jack Chasan

There's all that oil from Alberta's tar sands, and coal in Wyoming and Montana. All of it is yearning to burn free, but not for free, in Asia, or wherever else top dollar will be paid.

BP's Cherry Point operations: More than a fire investigation is needed

Sun, Mar 4, midnight

By Fred Felleman

With Norm Dicks leaving office, the Sound needs more protection than ever from potential oil spill pollution. And shouldn't the Obama administration look for another supplier of oil for military needs?

Port opens door for China to get U.S. coal

Fri, Jan 27, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

As Northwest concerns build about global and local environmental issues in the Northwest, a small Oregon port gives its approval to exporting coal to burn in Chinese power plants.

Best of 2011: Would a Washington state coal port mean a damn thing to the environment?

Fri, Dec 30, 2 a.m.

By Daniel Jack Chasan

Proponents of a coal port say fuel from here would be cleaner than what China would burn from domestic supplies. Opponents worry about the effects of any coal on the climate. But maybe our decision isn't that big a deal either way. Further: the economics of high-cost U.S. coal may be the real limiting factor.

Coal-export plan survives election cliffhangers

Wed, Nov 16, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

Neither side in the battle over exporting coal to China winds up with clear mandate in Bellingham and Whatcom County elections.

How coal-port voting in Bellingham holds lessons for rest of state

Thu, Nov 10, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

In Edmonds, Seattle, Spokane, and elsewhere, organizing against a plan to export coal to China could begin right along the railroad tracks.

Voters give mixed message on Bellingham coal port plan

Tue, Nov 8, 10:20 p.m.

By Floyd McKay

Early returns show a big backer of the plan losing in the county executive's race. But Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, a vocal opponent, trails narrowly in his re-election bid against former state Rep. Kelli Linville.