Lasts week the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a draft permit for Ambre Energy's Morrow Pacific project, which would send 8 million metric tons of coal down the Columbia River every year.1
RSVP to attend a hearing on the Port of Morrow and protect the Northwest from dangerous coal exports! Photo credit Bill Purcell  |
Can you believe it? If this final permit gets approved, Governor Kitzhaber and the DEQ will have allowed the first coal export project in the Northwest to begin construction.
Despite the avalanche of public opposition we have demonstrated to this coal export project, the DEQ has taken the next step on this permit without the cumulative review thousands of Northwesterners -- including public officials -- have requested. Attend this hearing and tell Governor Kitzhaber and the DEQ to protect us from dirty coal exports by denying a final permit.
Will you stand with us against coal exports at the public hearing on Tuesday, July 9?
RSVP to attend a hearing and protect the Northwest from dangerous coal exports!
WHAT: DEQ public hearing for the air quality and stormwater permits for the Morrow Pacific coal export project
WHEN: Tuesday, July 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Rally at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Convention Center
WHERE: Oregon Convention Center Rooms C120 and C125, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR [MAP] There will also be a second hearing in Hermiston, OR
Traveling from Vancouver: Meet up at 11:00 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. at the parking lot of the old downtown library on Mill Plain and Ft. Vancouver Way [MAP]
Bus from Salem: Meet up at 2:00 p.m. at the Salem Unitarian Church at 5090 Center St. NE, Salem, OR [MAP] The bus will return around 8:00 p.m.
RSVP: http://action.sierraclub.org/
WANT TO TESTIFY?: You must sign up online in advance if you wish to testify. To sign up to testify click here.
Questions? Or would you like to help out, even for an hour or two? Contact Laura Stevens 503-238-0442 x305, laura.stevens@sierraclub.org
The air permit the DEQ is considering is inadequate -- the cumulative impacts and the risks from mine to power plant must be considered in this project. This project would result in coal dust and diesel emissions that would likely exceed air quality standards and worsen pollution in the Gorge -- and contribute dangerous carbon pollution to our atmosphere. The increase in barge traffic on the Columbia River would harm salmon, river recreation, and navigation.
We need Governor Kitzhaber and DEQ Director Dick Pedersen to stand up and protect Oregon families. Your presence at this hearing will convince them that Oregonians are not willing to compromise: we say "no" to coal exports in the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for all you do to protect the environment,
Laura Stevens
Beyond Coal Campaign
Sierra Club
P.S. After you take action, be sure to forward this alert to your friends and colleagues!
[1] Department of Environmental Quality, Coyote Island Terminal Coal Export Project, Oregon.gov. 5 June 2013.
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For more information contact laura.stevens@sierraclub.org.