The Pacific Northwest Port Expansion
The Pacific Northwest Port Expansion
Expansion of the Pacific Northwest Port is a project intended to facilitate the U.S. coal industry export plans (Gateway Pacific Terminal, 2012). The proposed location is Whatcom County, Washington. Its goal is to export significant amounts of goal to Asia following a decline in demand for goal in the United States. The states of Oregon and Washington are, at the moment, considering six proposals with a combined handling capacity of at least 150 million tons, in the form of exports to the Asian markets annually. The demand for coal in the U.S. is declining, and the debate about the expansion project will have an impact on the immediate future of the country’s coal trade. The project elicits both opposing and dissenting reactions in equal measure.
Communities living around the Pacific Northwest and sportsmen oppose the planned expansion citing public health concerns, and degradation of the environment and the region’s natural resources (Young, 2012). It is a project that involves massive exportation of coal through the region. This has an enormous potential environmental pollution due to the build-up of coal in the region as it moves to Asia (Learn, 2012). According to a report released in 2012, the National Wildlife Federation warns against such expansion stating that expansion of energy markets abroad will endanger communities, foster global warming through pollution, and harm fisheries. The federation’s director of Energy Campaigns, Felister Stadler, states that the project has heavy cost implications.
This stems from damaged communities, degraded fisheries, harm to wildlife, sustained burning of carbon fuels, and public health costs.In addition to coal, the Northwest Pacific terminal will boost efficiency in exportation of dry bulk commodities such as grains to Asia. The terminal will accommodate highly efficient ships because of the site’s deep waters; there is no need for dredging. International trade is pivotal to economic recovery. The project provides a magnificent opportunity for the United States’ economic expansion. International trade is responsible for 40% of jobs in Washington State. Its potential for job creation is 4,400 new jobs. In relation to revenue, estimates indicate that the port will add $11 million annually, in the form of local and state tax.
Exportation of coal will foster the U.S. economy and provide a relatively cheap source of energy, in Asia.Russell Bassett, the executive director of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders states that the project is yet to provide answers to concerns regarding the potential effect of coal dust on the Columbia River watershed and its fish, most notably the salmon species (Young, 2012). In addition, the project proposals have not, until date, addressed the health concerns of the river’s steelhead runs, which also appear under the Endangered Species Act (The Associated Press, 2012). The Army Corps of Engineers should assess the potential environmental impact and document the potential effect of stray coal dust on the Columbia River and aquatic life, which contributes significant revenue to Washington and Oregon state economies. The health impact review must satisfy the requirement for the Environmental Protection Agency.
References
Gateway Pacific Terminal. “The Project, October 2, 2012. Www.gatewaypacificterminal.com/
Learn, S. “Northwest coal export projects could have significant public health impacts”. Northwest coal export projects, April 13, 2012. Www.oregonlive.com.
Living on Earth. “Exporting Wyoming Coal to Asia”. PRI’s Environmental News Magazine, October 16, 2012. Www.loe.Org.
The Associated Press. “Bellingham, Washington becomes battleground for fight over coal exports”. News, November 03, 2012. Www.oregonlive.com.
Young, E. “U.S. Coal Industry Export Plans Carries Heavy Risk”. National Wildlife Federation, July 31, 2012. Www.nwf.Org.
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