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Yes, there really are proposals to export U.S. coal to China.  This is a terrible idea. Coal is an extremely dirty source of energy and the burning of coal is Asia is the major source of mercury in Oregon's and Washington's rivers.  Because people in the Northwest and other states have worked so hard to reduce usage of coal-fired power plants, the big international coal companies are nervous and looking for new markets.  There are currently proposals to expand strip mines in Wyoming and Montana, put on trains to Longview, WA and ship to China from there. More info here: http://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/index.php/headlines/view/76

The Governor's of Oregon and Washington have made strong progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but exporting massive volumes of coal to China really cuts against this.  The Northwest should not become the gateway for Chinese coal. 

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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