Tag Archives: Oregon

Welcome to the Coal Exports Roadshow

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Coal export train

By Bethany Cotton, Greenpeace Field Organizer-Portland, Oregon

6am PST Aug. 7th.  The sun is just about to crest over the hills on the Washington side of the Columbia River – it’s a beautiful morning.

Yesterday we set off from Portland, Oregon to follow the rail lines to Helena, Montana. We are experiencing first hand the route that trains full of coal would travel were the coal industry to get its way and “railroad” through six proposals to export up to 157 million tons of U.S. coal to Asia every year.  Continue reading →

The coal industry shows its true colors in Oregon

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Across the country, we’re seeing good news about the future of coal. This week, FirstEnergy announced the retirement of six coal fired power plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. We can all breathe a little easier knowing that domestic coal use is on the decline.

Coal mining executives, however, aren’t so relieved. That’s why they’re scrambling to find a fire exit and new markets to sell their rocks. Continue reading →