At first the topic may seem mundane, even obscure. The plan to turn 80 acres of seaside land into a coal terminal. But it is so much more.
The plan, if approved, will lead to the largest coal export terminal in North America, shipping out 48 million metric tons of American coal per year to China, so they can use it to clean our clocks even more on the trade front.
And This Place
And it's much worse than that. In 2012, when it is so clear that it is time, and in fact way past time, to move past a big carbon economy, the coal terminal represents a doubling down on combustion. Lighting rocks on fire, in even greater volume than ever before, for decades in the future.
As we have found out as we have collected information about the coal export scheme, there is simply no daylight between the local impacts of projects like this and larger issues on a regional and national level all the way to global climate change. It's all about billionaires finding new ways to rip up the planet for their profit, at all of our expense.
So we have a clear sense that, like Keystone, this is one of the turning points. It is possible, just possible, that we will be the twigs and stones that divert the stream from the utterly wrong course to a better one. Instead of ripping up and combusting everything just quickly as possible, we can move to something more livable.
When people are at a turning point in history, do they know it? Or, is it just another day in their lives, only enhanced later by the highlighter of historians?
In this case, I think we have enough information. Time is running out, to at least stop making it worse. And that's what turning points are about. It's not when things start getting better. It's when things stop getting much, much, worse. And that's why we see what we've been seeing.
You just don't see this level of concern and action in any community unless there is very, very good reason.
Local organization Re-Sources invited Bill McKibben to come to town, and he helped people understand the link between the coal export plan and the larger global picture.
Dedicated volunteers constructed a site to provide a comprehensive catalog of information and news about the proposed coal terminal
A group of concerned citizens spent a year researching the permitting process and spreading awareness of our opportunities to contribute to that process.
From 200+ Docs
.
Over two hundred doctors signed on to a letter expressing concern about health effects. The docs list, at a high level the following concerns: diesel particulate pollution, coal dust, excessive noise from trains, and emergency vehicle delays at blocked train crossings. To put this in context, it's basically unheard of for two hundred doctors to agree on any one thing, especially an issue that may be locally contentious.
Eight hundred people showed up for an information meeting about the permitting process. Just an information meeting!
A nationally known musician planned an entire tour to follow the expected path of the coal trains from Montana to the shores of NW Washington.
A community organization raised thousands of dollars to hire technical consultants to create serious, professional research reports on the potential economic impacts of the coal terminal on our county.
A local climate activist and five hundred of her friends marched through our downtown, to the motto of 'Our Goal is No Coal.'
A photographer found more and more of his attention focused on capturing some of the ugliest scenes known to humankind. Creating striking moments of clarity, about what will face us if this comes to pass.
Community members in the South Fork valley have been alerting residents to the threat of coal trains running through their farm lands.
Canvassers for Coal Free Bellingham collected over 10,000 signatures in opposition to the coal terminal, holding tens of thousands of conversations that raised awareness of the issue.
A group of filmmakers is creating a series about the proposed terminal, including this remarkable interview with lawyer Jean Melious.
We have people stepping up for the first time ever in their lives for ambitious ventures such as running for political office, not just about the coal terminal but to help save our environment and quality of life.
A well known professional artist collaborated with a local activist to create a series of five stunning posters to convey what this could mean for our children and all of us.
The Lummi nation has provided a clear statement of opposition to the existence of a coal terminal on lands that belonged to them for thousands of years. Doing so, the Lummis are turning away from what assuredly would be millions in 'aid' (call it what you like) in exchange for their support. Shown here is the symbolic burning of the million+ dollar check. We can stand to learn a lot from the Lummi people about protecting sacred places.
And this is not even close to all of the great community work we have seen. It's just part of a short highlight reel. Didn't mention volunteer-led EIS comment writing workshops, or the 100+ volunteers who have donated their time in the field office, or the petition that has attracted over 6,000 signatures, or numerous other neighborhood meetings to raise awareness, or ....
All of us humans working together, and our main opposition can be summed up in one word: Money. Big money, from corporations who trace their chain of ownership back to Goldman Sachs, Peabody Coal, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad (BNSF). Spending millions on glossy brochures, hirelings, and slick TV commercials, and planning to profit billions, with a reckless disregard for who it may harm.
We've got the humans. All they have is the power of little pieces of paper to hypnotize some people into doing things that go against their better judgement.
Sometimes we hear a false equivalency from the paid promoters of the terminal. Their efforts are almost entirely done by hirelings and contractors. But supposedly that's balanced because a few organizers against the terminal have paid positions, generally funded by donations.
Let's make something clear. In the words of one organizer who does get paid to protect our environment for a living, 'Peanut shells.' That's what she gets paid. Not even peanuts. Just the shells. There is only one reason to take a job as an organizer on the side of protecting the environment - that's for the love of it. These are all people who clearly could earn more, if they were willing to accept less meaningful work. They are donating the difference, every day that they show up to work.
This, all of this, is what democracy looks like. It's not just on election day.
Like a sonata with several movements or a play with several acts, the entire saga has a series of mini-climaxes on the way to its ultimate resolution and denouement. One such event is the first public hearing on the scope of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), scheduled for this Saturday October 27th at Squalicum High School in Bellingham WA. At this hearing, the first of seven, concerned people will be able to address their concerns in person to agency personnel.
For anyone who lives anywhere nearby, we ask that you please consider joining us on Saturday the 27th at Squalicum High School, Bellingham WA. Be seen, be heard, be with us. Rally at 10, Hearing starts at 11.
No matter where you live, you can still be part of this! The process also supports UNLIMITED written comments at any time between now and January 21, 2013, so comment often! Submit your comments here:
Agency Home Page for GPT EIS Scoping
Email comments to: comments@eisgatewaypacificwa.gov
Comments should be about what the agencies should consider in the Environmental Impact statement (EIS). For some ideas on concerns, see 101+ Reasons to be Concerned About Coal Export. Good resources are Here, scroll down for document links, and Here.
Any time you think that you don't have a choice, you actually do.
Any time you think you have to do something that's wrong, you don't.
Our Future - Worth Saving
Not Today.
Not Any More.
We Shall Not Participate in Our Own Destruction
Many photos copyright Paul K Anderson.
Info about all aspects of the GPT Proposal: Coal Train Facts
Scoping Info: Protect Whatcom and Re-Sources
The full set of public hearings:
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, October 27
Squalicum High School
3773 E McLeod Road
Bellingham, WA
12-3 p.m. Saturday, November 3
Friday Harbor High School
45 Blair Avenue
Friday Harbor, WA
4-7 p.m. Monday, November 5
McIntyre Hall
2501 E College Way
Mount Vernon, WA
4-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 13
North Seattle Community College, Wellness Center Gym
9600 College Way North
Seattle, WA
3-7 p.m. Thursday, November 29
Ferndale Events Center
5715 Barrett Road
Ferndale, WA
4-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 4
Spokane County Fairgrounds
404 N Havana Street
Spokane Valley, WA
4-7 p.m. Wednesday, December 12
Clark College, Gaiser Student Center
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA
Previous entries in this series, in chronological order first to most recent:
We shall not participate in our own destruction
Pretty much the dumbest idea ever
Can a community defy a cabal of multi-national corporations?
Great for the coal cabal! For us, not so much
And So it Begins
Right Brain for This Decision?
101 Reasons to be Concerned About Coal Export
On Refusing to be Rounded out of Existence
Who Are the Welfare Queens Now?
There Is No Daylight
Tis the Season to Decide Our Future
Comments are closed on this story.