Item 5: Transport of Coal for Export through Eugene

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Environmental : Environmental impacts from coal dust and diesel trains generated during transport will impact local water and air quality. Mercury and other toxic air pollutants produced from burning the coal in China and other Asian nations impact the Northwest’s air, water, fish, and wildlife. For example, The Mount Bachelor Observatory has recorded at least 1400 tons of mercury annually falling in the Pacific Northwest as a result of coal burning in China while other studies show that 14% of the mercury dropping from the atmosphere on Mt. viiiix , Bachelor originates in Asia. Policy : The City of Eugene has been a leader in demonstrating how to reduce dependence on coal and emissions of greenhouse gas through the Community Climate and Energy Action Plan, Sustainable Business Initiative, and the City government’s internal commitment to greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Enabling the transport of . coal through the City is contrary to these policy values Recommended Actions ● Direct the City Manager and appropriate staff to identify all possible actions the City can take to prevent the transport of coal through Eugene; ● Pass a resolution or ordinance to oppose transport of coal for export through Eugene; ● Inform Governor Kitzhaber, Port of Coos Bay officials, and coal companies involved in proposals to transport coal through Eugene, that the City will enforce all applicable local, state, and federal laws protecting public health, safety, and air and water quality to prevent the transport of coal through the City; and ● Join other cities in Oregon to lobby the Governor and legislature to oppose coal export terminals in the State of Oregon. Conclusion While the Sustainability Commission strongly supports the use of rail for freight and passenger transport, coal transport will have adverse social, economic, and environmental consequences for Eugene. Allowing coal trains to pass through our City is not compatible with state and regional efforts to close coal plants, nor with local goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, enhance public health, and promote local food production. Furthermore, coal mining, export, and combustion are highly destructive and unsustainable energy development practices that undermine Eugene’s efforts to reduce emissions that cause climate change and develop clean energy jobs. On behalf of the community of Eugene, Council should act proactively and quickly to safeguard the citizenry and oppose the transport of coal through our City. i Coal Train Facts (a nonprofit in Washington State) http://www.coaltrainfacts.org/key-facts ; Sightline Institute: http://www.sightline.org/research/energy/coal/coal-FAQ.pdf ; Sierra Club (based on rail industry study) http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/or/ ii The Oregonian Learn, Scott. 2012. “Two coal companies want to export coal through the Port of St Helens.” . January 17. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/01/two_coal_companies_want_to_exp.html iii Coal Train Facts (a nonprofit in Washington State) http://www.coaltrainfacts.org/key-facts ; Sightline Institute: http://www.sightline.org/research/energy/coal/coal-FAQ.pdf ; Sierra Club (based on rail industry study) http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/or/ iv www.powerpastcoal.org v http://www.coaltrainfacts.org/key-facts vi http://www.coaltrainfacts.org/entrepreneur-freight-property-values vii http://climatesolutions.org/nw-states/washington/cherrypoint viii http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/15/james-hansen-power-plants-coal ix Strode S., Jaeglé L., Jaffe D., Swartzendruber P., Selin N., Holmes C. and Yantosca R.; Pacific Transport of Mercury. J.Geophys. Res. doi:10.1029/2007JD009428, 2008. D. Jaffe, S. Strode; Fate and Transport of Atmospheric Mercury from Asia, Environ. Chem. 2008, 5, 121, doi:10.1071/EN08010.