Source: Northwest Jobs Alliance http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?

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Railroad Union Lays Out the Facts on Air Quality & Public Health at the Gateway Pacific Terminal The Northwest Jobs Alliance (NWJA) was established out of the need to stimulate local family-wage jobs in the context of sound environmental practice. As business, labor and community leaders, we feel that the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal project has the potential to embody these characteristics, which is why we've made it our mission to respond to questions from the community and encourage fact-based dialogue on this project. Railroad Union Says Coal Dust is a "Non-Issue" One of the most commonly raised concerns regarding the Gateway Pacific Terminal project is the potential for coal dust to be lost from trains. In our opinion, no one is better equipped to respond to this issue than the very people who work with coal trains on a daily basis. Mike Elliott, Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, has worked with trains for over 17 years all across Washington State, and represents a union whose primary mission is to protect the health and safety of railroad workers. After hearing the misinformation generated about the Gateway project in regards to coal dust from trains, he felt compelled to weigh in. Here's what he had to say: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Recently, there has been a lot of misleading information circulated regarding coal trains and the transportation of coal by rail--namely coal dust. I can tell you for certain I have never experienced or heard complaints of coal dust from trains in Washington State. None of my members, who operate and work around coal trains 24/7, have

reported health issues related to coal dust. This is a non-issue as far as our organization is concerned. In fact, ensuring our members have a safe and healthy work environment is our highest priority. If the trains we work on carried anything that posed a health risk to my membership or the community, you could be certain that I would be taking action to correct the problem."

--Mike Elliott, Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

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To read the entire press release, click here.

Mike Elliott's statement is just one of the many bodies of evidence we've found that dispels the misinformation about the Gateway Pacific Terminal, which is why we've decided to research even further the concerns raised about public health and air quality.

No Evidence of Coal Dust in Western Washington

Trains carrying coal have been traveling through Western Washington on their way to Canadian ports for decades, yet the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency have no record of coal dust complaints.1

In addition to the current lack of evidence of coal dust, BNSF Railway issued a new rule effective October 1, 2011 that requires PRB coal shippers to implement measures that will reduce coal dust loss by 85% even close to the mines.2 These include such measures as aerodynamic shaping, compaction, and a gluelike sealant spray that creates a crust over the cargo. 3

Locomotives are Fuel-Efficient and Contribute Negligible Air Emissions

Trains are one of the smallest contributors of air particulates in the state4 and are the most environmentally sound way to move freight in America.

A single train can move one ton of cargo almost 500 miles on one gallon of fuel.5 Of the 13 activities monitored by Washington's Department of Ecology (DOE), locomotives rank among the three smallest contributors of air particulate emissions.4 They contribute less than 1% of the state's total PM2.5 emissions (fine particulate matter that is of the most interest from a health standpoint).4 Trains are four times more fuel-efficient than trucks and only account for 0.6% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.5 A single train can carry the load of 280 trucks.6

Despite these negligible impacts on the state, trains will be subject to new stringent standards by the EPA that will reduce diesel emissions by 90%.7

Cargo Handling Terminal Designed to Have Advanced Environmental Safeguards

The terminal is designed to have zero dust at the property line. In fact, the shoreline permit states: "No odors, dust, dirt, or smoke shall be emitted that are detectable at or beyond the property line...to cause a nuisance." All materials will be unloaded in enclosed, air-controlled structures that will collect and filter dust, and moved in conveyor systems that are either tightly covered (over land) or fully enclosed (over water). Dust control systems include sprayers, foggers, berms, and possibly wind fencing if necessary as an additional control measure; these safeguards are far superior to Canadian terminals (such as the Westshore terminal built 40 years ago). Storage areas are 1/2 a mile away from the shoreline.

Let's review the facts- In regard to public health, there must be intense exposure
to coal dust for any potential health risks to be of concern.8 From our review of scientific findings, exposure to coal dust from trains has not been a problem in Western Washington in the past, is not one now, and will not be one in the future.

Not only do trains contribute a negligible amount of air particulates, but coal trains have been passing through our community for decades without any evidence or complaint of coal dust. On top of this, state-of-the-art emission controls are designed into the transportation of coal, as well as the terminal itself. These issues will also be studied extensively during the two-year environmental review process led by the Department of Ecology, Whatcom County, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The Gateway project will not only create thousands of jobs in our community, it will also be subject to the most modern environmental laws, ensuring that our community remains both economically and environmentally sustainable. As always, we encourage all of you to do the research yourselves. Best Regards, Ken Oplinger, Co-Chair NWJA (Blaine City Councilmember and President/CEO, Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry) Chris Johnson, Co-Chair NWJA (Vice President, Northwest Washington Central Labor Council) Sources:

1. No coal dust complaints to NW Clean Air Agency as of April 18, 2011; Puget Sound Clean Air Agency September 12, 2011 2. BNSF Release Coal dust mitigation requirements effective October 1, 2011 July 14, 2011 3. Springfield News-Leader CU finds solution to coal dust issues July 29, 2011 4. Washington State Department of Ecology "Comprehensive Air Emissions Inventory 2005/2008" 5. Association of American Railroads "The Environmental Benefits of Moving Freight by Rail" October 2011 6. Association of American Railroads "Freight Railroads Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions" April 2011 7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "Locomotives" 2011 8. Environment Canterbury Regional Study "Health Effects of Coal Dust in a NonOccupational Context: Literature Review" February 12, 2009 For more information

For questions or comments, email NWJA@Bellingham.com or call 360-224-8179 Visit the project website at www.gatewaypacificterminal.com

About Us The Northwest Jobs Alliance was established out of the need to stimulate local familywage jobs in the context of sound environmental practice-these goals stemming from the fact that we live, work, and raise our families in Whatcom County-a place we care deeply about. Composed of a cross-section of the community, we feel that the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal project, which will create thousands of high-wage jobs and millions of dollars in local and state tax revenues, has the potential to embody these characteristics; thus, in support of the Gateway project, the Alliance seeks to encourage informed public dialogue, seek answers to questions the community has about the project, and correct misinformation. Forward this email

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