| Coal trains are a big issue in the Pacific Northwest as environmental and local groups are fighting to reduce or even end shipments of coal by rail. They are citing health effects of coal and diesel exhaust as well as possible derailments. One critic has stated that lines may see between 60 and 100 more coal trains every day (!), which BNSF, not surprisingly, has debunked. In northwest Washington the Everett to Roberts Bank BC line has had numerous civic meetings on the issue and signs like this one are popping up in a lot of towns. One alternative (and highly unlikely) plan that has been mentioned involved re-laying track on the former NP Sumas line further east to avoid towns like Mount Vernon. A plan to build a large, new export terminal near Bellingham WA may go to vote now. We'll have to see what happens. |