BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — A new citizens’ group in Bellingham plans to propose an ordinance that would prohibit any transport of coal through the northwest Washington city.
The proposal stems from a controversial shipping terminal capable of handling large volumes of cargo that would largely include coal bound for China.
A key organizer of the group No Coal! told The Bellingham Herald (http://bit.ly/uSCRCF ) that the group will make the proposed ordinance public on Jan. 26. The proposal would prohibit any transport of coal through Bellingham by rail or any other means.
SSA Marine of Seattle has proposed the cargo terminal. Spokesman Craig Cole says that railroad operations are governed by federal and state constitutions and laws and are beyond the scope of city authority.
