By John Stark
Backers of Gateway Pacific Terminal say they have gathered 10,000 petition signatures in support of the coal export facility proposed at Cherry Point.
They plan to deliver those petition signatures to the Whatcom County Executive’s office in the County Courthouse at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27., according to a press release from Northwest Jobs Alliance:.
Here is the press release:
Labor, business and civic leaders will deliver to the Whatcom County Courthouse over 10,000 petition signatures and other messages of support for the Gateway Pacific Terminal project and the expansion of U.S. export capacity.
The delivery will take place at the County Executive’s office on Tuesday, November 27th at 10 am. A statement will be issued at that time addressing the need, as expressed by thousands of citizens, for balanced consideration of all environmental issues, including economic issues and local government services.
End press release
I hear the train a comin, it’s rollin round the bend…..
“Balanced” – a loaded term typical of the propaganda the moneyed proponents of the terminal like to throw around. Follow the money you 10,000 signers (if indeed there really are 10,000 of you) – follow the money if you don’t want to be fooled.
Any indication where these pro-pollution signers live? The “no coal trains” folks got 10K signatures in Bellingham alone.
Look, Stark and Schwartz do a fine job of covering these issues. But looking at that photo, ya gotta wonder, can’t the Herald pay them enough to get an ironing board?
BNSF – I live in Bellingham and I support the terminal. At the same time, I feel like petitions like this are a waste of time.
Sam, you would be correct. They are meaningless for the EIS. The agency co-leads have made clear that bald statements of opinion — pro or con — will not be considered in the EIS. Roland Perry, EIS co-lead for the Corps, made a point to tell me at the Mt. Vernon hearing that it was the substantive comments they’re hearing that will help determine what to scope.
Is GPT winning a PR war with their signatures? Doubtful. Terminal proponents reportedly spent $866K and have gotten next to no substantive comments in the record. As noted above, the Prop 2 folks, who did spend something for petition signature gatherers, but nowhere near 6 figures one would have to assume, got that many signatures with pretty much a grassroots campaign.
GPT is asking people to sign a loaded statement about supporting jobs and economic prosperity which, heck, we’re all in favor of. But at the end of the day, there has to be a fully economic impact assessment that determines the net negative impacts of the terminal on not just Whatcom County’s economy, but all impacted communities. Let’s get a rail PEIS from the PRB to the west coast; a regional cumulative impact assessment that considers cumulative vessel traffic if coal bulkers are carrying 50-150 mil. mta through Unimak Pass; a health impact assessment on all populations on the rail corridors, particularly where there could be 60-80 additional trains with 4-6 locomotives. Then let’s talk about “prosperity.”
Please read the letter from Oslo, Norway. “I am concerned of the consequences of the coal transport and the coal burning all over the world. Let’s not contribute to the global warming. I am a member of Naturvernforbundet in Norway and I support their work in UN and internationally to
make our globe be a healthy place to live for all people.
Keep on the good work! Please study the impact of burning coal in Asia on climate change and global warming. The air belongs to all of us. Thank you.”
Isn’t it ironic that the same people who attack us for opposing the terminal before “all the facts are known” claim 100,000 people have made an informed decision in favor? Of course, they have to gather signatures now. The more people understand the proposal and its impacts, the more they oppose it.
Well, for what it’s worth, they appear to be locally organized. This is the note I received via email from the Whatcom County Republican State Committeeman:
November 23 , 2012
Pacific Gateway Terminal Hearing
The election is over.
Now its time for jobs in Whatcom County.
Attend the EIS scoping hearing Thursday November 29th 2PM to 7PM at Ferndale Event Center,
5715 Barrett Rd Ferndale Wa.
The Department of Ecology held a CAMPAIGN RALLY (emphasis added)/hearing on Pacific Gateway Terminal before the November election at Squalicum High School in Bellingham.
Those that oppose jobs in Whatcom County with the help of the National Sierra Club Organization took the floor in the first step in their planned years long fight to stop any progress for Family Wage Jobs here in Whatcom County.
Groups like the National Liberal Organization Sierra Club and its “Beyond Coal” faction took to the floor to push their non-job green agenda.
While those favoring the terminal and the jobs they would create were busy campaigning for candidates locally and didn’t get in the first come first serve lines fast enough. All sides need to be heard.
That was then.
Now is the time for Action.
All levels of government are holding these “scoping” meetings for this project… they do not “trust” local governments. They want to dictate to Whatcom County from the Federal and State Level. This project is a first in this “scoping” technique and could set a possible precedent of Federal Government intervention in the location of any business anywhere.
Don’t let Outside Interest be the ONLY voice in this process.
Don’t let them continue to have excessive meetings taking excessive amounts of time at all government levels until the local voices become exhausted, without resource and silent.
Resulting in no balance between Environmental and Human needs.
And resulting in more local families depending more and more on government for their basic needs. And losing their American Dream.
Let your voice be heard for Whatcom County at this November 29th Meeting.
Click Here for Map
Arrive Early to get a seat and sign up to make a statement sharing your Views.
Its that time of year again Crabtree’s Christmas Trees to open November 27th, 2012
I think we all want good jobs. “Good” paying coal jobs will be minimal for Whatcom County (at best), compared with actually having our county and COB try and lure some good, cleaner companies to locate here.
All it takes is us actually doing some work. Rather than waiting for anyone that wants to turn our pristine corner of the country into a toilet bowl to come along, lets actually do some fishing for better opportunities. That’s what this is. It’s like fishing for trout for dinner. If you catch a carp, are you really going to stop fishing and take it home, or are you going to continue fishing, for what you want?
The reasons to NOT support coal here would take me too long to list. We (you and me, our families and current businesses) have so much to LOSE right here in Whatcom County by letting these folks set up shop, and this will likely lead to other larger and cleaner companies looking elsewhere for a home. There are plenty of places where the environment has already been destroyed beyond repair where this coal dump could go (if it must go any where).
It’s no surprise that some folks are still stuck in the 50′s, and think coal is “the next big thing” and that a 100 jobs or less is worth gambling our local beauty, environment and future prosperity for. It’s pathetic and short-sighted but no surprise.
Dave, I’m on FB. Please send me a private message with your e-mail address, and I’ll get in touch with you if you’re willing to forward that message from the Republican Committeeman to me.
Thank you!
Terry
TerryWechsler,
Couldn’t find you on FB, but did find a “info” email address I believe is yours. Please let me know you received copy.
Have a nice day.
No, Dave, didn’t get it.
Terry,
Tried again. If I still didn’t reach you, email me j440@comcast.net
Why are people so angry?!
“Yelling” doesn’t express a point of view very effectively. The softer one speaks, the more others have to stop their own yelling to listen. Respect for each side (opposing and supporting) would be SUCH a breath of fresh air. Examine how you express your own views and perhaps aim for a civil and respectable exchange. I certainly have looked at (and made some changes!) in the way I interact in these situations. It feels good not be angry, right? Attacking the other side only reduces one’s credibility.
It is okay to have a different opinion than others. It’s what makes a great dialog. Maybe we can aim to do so in an adult and respectful manner?
You seem to be on the wrong page.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told used to be a entertainment account it. Glance complicated to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?