Scott Learn, the Oregonian

September 10, the Oregonian -  Multnomah County Chairman Jeff Cogen is directing the county health department to review potential health hazards from coal trains that may run through the county en route to new Northwest export terminals.

Cogen announces his decision on coal

Cogen's request focuses on diesel emissions from locomotives and coal dust from uncovered coal cars. He also wants the emergency management office to study potential delays in emergency response from mile-plus trains.

The export proposals, if approved, would make the Columbia Gorge and the Pacific Northwest a conduit for large amounts of coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana  to be shipped to Asian markets.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge has joined with other groups and concerned citizens in an alliance to stop these major transport proposals. 

Other coal export links:

• Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz drafted a resolution to be considered by the City Council on September 19. The resolution opposes coal trains running through Portland until the Army Corps of Engineers fully evaluates potential environmental and health impacts.
• A town hall meeting about coal exports has been scheduled for September 27 in the Portland suburb of Milwaukie.
• OPB Ecotrope examines TV ads on coal exports: an anti-coal commercial produced by the Sierra Club, and and pro-coal ad issued by coal export terminal developers and their supporters.
• Sightline Daily looks at the data and asks, is the coal bubble bursting in China?
• A Sightline blog entry about research showing environmental values squaring with Latino personal values and experiences.  

 

September 11, the Oregonian - 

Police didn't notify the U.S. Forest Service about the training they organized for 35 tactical team officers from Portland and elsewhere around the metro area, said a Forest Service manager. The training involved a lot of shooting at rock walls using live ammunition.   

 

The federal agency oversees the site -- Cape Horn -- where the targets were set up. The property where the training took place includes peregrine falcon habitat, centuries-old petroglyphs and a public hiking trail wending above the shooting zone.  

 

September 11, KIMA TV - Firefighters said they expected to fully contain a wildfire in the Columbia River Gorge by the end of the day Tuesday.

 

The 1,600-acre fire burned state and private land along Highway 141 between White Salmon and Husum, Washington.

Fire officials said the fire was 85 percent contained Tuesday morning.

 

Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark urged citizens to stay vigilant against starting accidental fires: "This weekend we will see dry fuels and high winds that give us two of the three elements that can start a catastrophic wildfire. The third element is the tiniest spark. We are asking everyone to take extra care this weekend to avoid any risk of providing that spark." 

September 9, the Columbian - As the Gorge Commission prepares to make its two-year funding pitch to state lawmakers in both Washington and Oregon, agency leaders are hoping for an increase in an era of perennially tight budgets.

The Commission hopes to re-energize an effort to collect detailed data on the area and its health. They're looking to strengthen connections with communities and players within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Sustainable Business Oregon

September 11, Sustainable Business Oregon - Portland General Electric is in the midst of deciding what the region's future energy mix will look like, considering 32 bids representing 15 different generating projects submitted in June in response to the utility's request for proposals to meet future energy demands.

The Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge (pictured above) is the site proposed for a natural gas plant to serve Portland General Electric customers.