Now is our best shot at defeating a coal export terminal on the Columbia River!
A critical comment period for the controversial coal export proposal in Longview, Washington is now open. The comment period runs through November 18th.
Local, state, and federal agencies will use the comments submitted to draft an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and make permit decisions for Millennium's coal export proposal. If approved, the proposed 44 million tons per year coal export terminal (which would be the largest in the United States) would bring 16 dirty coal trains down the Columbia and through Longview each day en route to Asian markets.
The EIS must address all of the impacts that you put in your comments. Comment today!
In addition to saying NO to dirty coal, this is your opportunity to tell decision makers how coal export will affect you and your community. Impacts to air quality, traffic congestion, water quality, river recreation, and our climate are just a few of the vital things that you can ask to be considered in the EIS.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
UPDATE: SEE BELOW FOR SOME HEARING TIME CHANGES
Because of the huge risk coal export poses to our region, five public hearings are planned. Please try to attend one near you, and we absolutely need everyone to comment whether you can attend a hearing or not.
Prepare testimony & comments for the hearing at one of our pre-hearing workshops!
The five hearings are planned for Longview, Spokane, Pasco, Vancouver, and Tacoma.
All hearings are 5-8PM, doors open at 4PM. For the September 17 Longview hearing & the October 9 Vancouver hearing, the Army Corps has just announced they will hold a separate hearing at 1PM on the same day and in the same location. The Washington Department of Ecology will still hold their hearing from 5-8PM. Attending both hearings is not essential, and we encourage folks to attend the 4PM rally and 5-8PM hearing if you can't make both hearings.
We are planning rallies at all 5 hearings, starting at 4PM. Please wear red to the rally and hearing, and RSVP with us by clicking on the hearing you're planning to attend:
*Sept. 17, Cowlitz Expo Center, Longview
*Sept. 25, Spokane Convention Center, Spokane
*Oct. 1, The Trac Center, Pasco
*Oct. 9, Clark County Fairgrounds, Vancouver
*Oct. 17, Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma
Click here to download Riverkeeper's useful guide to providing oral and written testimony about Longview's proposed coal export project.
Over 124,000 people submitted comments during a similar comment period for the proposed coal terminal at Cherry Point, near Bellingham, Washington. As a result, a broad environmental review will be conducted. Longview deserves the same!
