Environmentalists aren’t giving up on trying to stop a northwest Oregon port from being used to export coal.
This week, the Port of St. Helens commission voted to lease property to two coal exporters.
Environmentalists are continuing to discuss ways they may be able to stop the use of the port for exporting coal. To move forward, both companies must secure building permits, which environmentalists may challenge.
Columbia Riverkeeper’s Brett VandenHeuvel wants Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber to take a close look at the health and environmental costs of transporting coal.
“Coal dust is linked to respiratory diseases to increased asthma, not to mention the impact on salmon and other aquatic life that would have coal dust dumped on it in the water,” he said.
An Australian company wants to bring Western coal in by barge. Kinder Morgan plans to ship by rail to the port.
The two companies could employ about 100 people. They plan to export about 40 million tons of coals each year.
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