Waterkeeper celebrates denial of coal terminal permit

SANDPOINT — The city of Sandpoint and other towns publicly opposed to proposed coal export terminals won a victory Monday with the rejection of a key permit.

The Oregon Department of State Lands rejected Ambre Energy’s request for a removal fill permit necessary for construction of its proposed Morrow Pacific coal export terminal. For cities like Sandpoint, which has passed resolutions stating its opposition to the coal terminals and the impact of frequent coal trains passing through town, the decision comes as good news and serves as another blow for the proposed terminals in Oregon and Washington. Together, all six proposed export terminals would be capable of shipping more than 100 million metric tons of coal each year.

“This is a huge victory for North Idaho and is a testament to the power and dedication of communities united from mine to port,” said Shannon Williamson, executive director of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper.

The decision from the Oregon DSL follows a coordinated effort from communities and activists throughout the Pacific and Inland Northwest. According to Power Past Coal, an alliance of organizations opposed to the terminals, more than 20,000 citizens have contacted Oregon governor John Kitzhaber to oppose the permit request.

“For nearly four years, communities across the region have been telling Northwest decision-makers that coal exports are wrong for the future of our states, our region, the country and the world,” Williamson said.

Williamson and other LPOW associates have worked with Sandpoint officials for the past several years in keeping them appraised of the coal export situation. For Sandpoint and other communities along the rail line, the prospect of of coal exports isn’t just related to the potential environmental impacts of burning coal. There’s also the consideration of increased train shipments throughout Sandpoint delaying traffic, blocking emergency vehicles and increasing the risk of accidents at crossings.

Also worrying for local terminal critics is the potential for a train to derail, contaminating the local environment. A train derailing over the lake would have a huge impact on local tourism and recreation, Williamson said. Meanwhile, others point out the health and air quality impacts of coal dust and pieces lost from uncovered train shipments. City officials cited those factors in passing resolutions opposing the terminals, with one specifically related to the Port of Morrow passed last August.