"Coal Hard Truth": Sustainable Edmonds Having Forum on Proposed Coal Trains

Eighteen trains loaded with bulk coal could, in the near future, pass through Edmonds on their way to and from a proposed shipping terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County.

To address concerns about the project, Sustainable Edmonds, a volunteer citizens’ group, is co-sponsoring with the Sierra Club a forum called "Coal Hard Truth" Wednesday at 7 p.m. in room 202 of Woodway Hall at .

Both Sustainable Edmonds and the Sierra Club are against the terminal, .

Seattle-based SSA Marine is behind Gateway Pacific Terminal, a shipping pier for exporting bulk commodities, including coal, to China and other countries in Asia.

According to Sustainable Edmonds, trains—each a mile and a half long—would transport coal from coal mines in Montana and Wyoming to Spokane, through Pasco and down through the Columbia River Gorge to Vancouver and Longview. From there, the trains will travel up Puget Sound, passing through Lacey, Tacoma, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett, Marysville, Stanwood, Mt. Vernon, Bellingham, Ferndale and all points in between.

Concerns center on increased rail traffic and coal pollution.

Those who plan to attend the event should e-mail Sustainable Edmonds.