Would a Washington state coal port mean a thing to the environment?

Daniel Jack Chasan, in Crosscut examines whether or not a coal port in Washington state will have any real negative effects. He says, “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.”

He further highlights comments made recently by Ken Oplinger, president/CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Chris Johnson, vice president of the Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, who said:

“Stopping the terminal will not stop China from using coal; the world has plenty. It will only stop China from using our cleaner coal, which has less mercury, sulfur and nitrogen oxides. Opponents say the coal China uses affects our air quality. So if they use our coal, our air will actually be cleaner.”

You can read the whole story, published on June 29, 2011, by clicking here.