Item 5: Transport of Coal for Export through Eugene

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ATTACHMENT B Sustainability Commission Sustainability Office th 99 W. 10 Avenue, Suite 116 Memorandum Eugene, Oregon 97401 (541) 682-5017 (541) 682-5221 FAX www.eugene-or.gov/sustainability April 13, 2012 To: Mayor and City Council Members From:Sustainability Commission Subject: Proposed Coal Train Transport through Eugene In October 2011, the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay signed an exclusive negotiating agreement with an anonymous company interested in shipping coal from the port. The proposal, called Project Mainstay, would build a new terminal and ship 6-10 million tons of coal a year. This coal would originate in Wyoming and one to two trains will pass through Eugene per day, each Montana and be shipped to Asia. It is estimated that i carrying up to 15,000 tons of coal . We recognize that development of the terminal and shipping will create an estimated 30-45 jobs in Coos Bay ii (based on other proposed projects for Oregon). We also recognize that the Port of Coos Bay is conducting extensive research and assessment on the environmental impacts of coal transport and shipment. However, according to findings from the Environmental Protection Agency and research in other communities, there are likely to be significant negative impacts to Eugene’s public health, economy, and air and water quality. The Sustainability Commission strongly supports the expansion of rail for freight and passenger transport. However, we urge the City Council to address the local impacts of transporting this coal. Local Impacts of Coal Transport The detrimental impacts of coal transport are extensive. Trains are typically a mile and a half long. Each train iii car is estimated allow up to 3% of its load (which is typically 100 tons or more) to blow away in transit. The iv cars are not likely to be covered due to danger of fires and costs of applying surfactant. Coal transport has economic, health and human rights, environmental and policy impacts. Economic : Increased train traffic and coal dust will have negative impacts on local businesses and crop values vvi , for local farmers. Home values along coal transport routes have also been shown to decline. Health and Human Rights : Coal dust contains toxic heavy metals, including mercury, arsenic, and lead, all known to have serious adverse health impacts on people of all ages, particularly children. These heavy metals, as well as emissions from the diesel-powered engines, are linked to increases in cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, vii black lung disease and birth defects. The train tracks through Eugene go through neighborhoods that already face adverse health impacts.