coal

What’s In The Water Under The Ballard Rail Bridge?

Ashley Ahearn — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:14:04 +0000

The debate over exporting Wyoming and Montana coal through terminals on the Northwest coast has been heating up in recent months. Those who support exporting coal say the terminals will create thousands of jobs and tax revenue for the state. Opponents have raised concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of coal. Now, some of them are taking matters into their own hands.

Where Do You Stand On The Coal-Terminal Debate?

Producer — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:01:35 +0000

Environmental reporter Ashley Ahearn has been covering the different sides of the coal debate over the last year and today on The Conversation we want to hear what you think. Ross Reynolds sits down with Ashley Ahearn to parse out the arguments for and against the proposed coal terminals in Washington, and takes listener calls.

Coal Dust’s Environmental Impacts In Pacific Northwest

Ashley Ahearn — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:17:02 +0000

There are five proposed coal export terminals under consideration in Washington and Oregon. They would be built to transfer coal off of trains from Wyoming and Montana mines and on to ships bound for Asia. Some coal dust will escape along the journey from mines to terminals. In the second part of our series, Ashley Ahearn looks at the environmental impacts of coal dust.

What Coal-Train Dust Means For Human Health In Pacific Northwest

Ashley Ahearn — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:52:49 +0000

With five coal export terminals under consideration in Washington and Oregon, Northwest residents are grappling for the first time with issues that are old hat in coal states like West Virginia and Kentucky. One of those issues: coal dust. How much of it will escape along the journey from mines in Wyoming and Montana to proposed export terminals on the West Coast? And what might that dust mean for public health?

Winning The White House In 2016

Producer — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

In an interview with Fox News earlier this week, Mitt Romney said that failing to reach minority voters was his biggest mistake of the 2012 campaign. What will it take to win the next election? UW Professor David Domke says winning over voters in so-called "carve-out states" — Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — will be one key to victory. He joins us with rules of the road for winning the White House in 2016.

New Poll: Coal Exports Winning Support In Washington

Ashley Ahearn — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:07:51 +0000

Washington’s coal export terminal proposals are winning the battle for public opinion, a new survey finds. It shows half the state’s residents supporting coal exports and one-third opposed — but the results are nuanced.

Northwest On Verge Of Becoming Pacific Crude Oil Gateway

Tom Banse — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:55:51 +0000

ABERDEEN, Wash. – The Northwest is on the verge of becoming a gateway for crude oil. Three different developers have plans to use docks on Grays Harbor, Washington to transfer crude oil from trains to ships. Other projects are getting off the ground in Tacoma, Vancouver, B.C. and on the lower Columbia River.

There was a huge turnout Wednesday night at an introductory public workshop in Aberdeen, Washington.

Addressing Climate Change In The Northwest

Ross Reynolds — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:20:00 +0000

Energy expert Amory Lovins says the United States can replace all oil and coal by the year 2050, without nuclear power, new federal taxes or subsidies, or new inventions. At the same time, we can grow the US economy by 158 percent.

Strong Opposition In Seattle For Gateway Pacific Terminal

Ashley Ahearn — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:18:17 +0000

More than 2,000 people showed up Thursday to tell regulators what they think should be considered in the environmental review of a proposed coal export terminal near Bellingham, Wash. If built, it could be the largest such facility on the West Coast.

Coal Port Hearings In Seattle

Marcie Sillman — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Officials from the US Army Corps of Engineers and state Department of Ecology hear public comment in Seattle this afternoon about a plan to build the largest coal export terminal on the West Coast near Bellingham. KUOW's Ashley Ahearn joins us with details. Then, we look at Michigan's new "right to work" legislation and the possible ripple effects in Washington state with University of Washington Professor Jim Gregory.