Coal Exports Through the Pacific Northwest Martin Donohoe

Coal Provides 30% of world’s energy needs and 41% of global electricity – US: 31% natural gas, 30% coal Accounts for 44% of carbon emissions from fuel

Coal Top five producers: – China, US, India, EU, Australia Five largest users: – China, US, India, Russia, Japan Largest coal reserves: – US, Russia, China, Australia, India Top five exporters: – Australia, Indonesia, Russia, US (9%, $11 billion), South Africa

Plans Powder River Basin coal → China and India Federal land – Americans own most of Powder River Basin (40% of America’s coal supply)

Coal Economics Cheap: – Sold to coal companies for as low as $1/ton (usually non-competitively) – U.S. price = $9/ton; sold to China for $80 - $123/ton – Uncompetitive leasing and poor oversight have cost U.S Treasury $29 billion since 1982 army

Plans million additional tons/yr 20 trains/day – 4 diesel engines/train ( cars per train) 12 barges/wk

Plans Would dramatically increase U.S. coal export capacity million tons/yr Current million tons/yr With active proposals – additional million tons/yr Through Columbia River Gorge (National Scenic Area)

48 mmt/yr coal 8 mmt/yr coal 10 mmt/yr coal 44 mmt/yr coal mmt/yr coal 10 mmt/yr coal Total: 150 mmt/yr coal

Health Consequences of Coal Mining Respiratory diseases (including Black Lung Disease) Heart disease Cancers Low birth weight Birth defects

Environmental and Animal Health Consequences of Coal Mining Depleted aquifers Decreased land for ranchers for grazing Dust pneumonia in cattle and horses Deception

DECKER MINE: DECKER, MONTANA

Accidents Almost 40 train derailments over last 2 years – 250 deaths/yr in U.S. from all rail transport accidents Barge accidents Risk of fires at coal terminals – Special firefighting equipment and training needed – State oversight of rail safety and local fire/disaster preparedness weak

Coal Train derailment near Baltimore, OH Coal train derailment from coal dust buildup near Baltimore, Ohio (2012). Photo from Reuters.

Mesa, WA Coal Train Derailment (2012)

The same trains that would carry coal through the Pacific NW– Wisconsin, 2013

Fire at Westshore Coal Terminal British Columbia, 2013

Barges Risks: coal and fuel spillage, collision, grounding, congestion, emissions, habitat disruption, and fish mortality from wake and propellers Estimated 24 barge accidents/yr on Columbia, one/yr involving spill of coal or fuel

Barges Columbia Gorge tourism $746 million/yr – $233 million/yr of this represents labor income to people who live and work in the Gorge $ billion salmon habitat placed at risk Annual economic value of negative externalities produced by Morrow Pacific barges: – Pollution = $17.8 million – Greenhouse gasses = $22.8 million

Coal-laden ship breaks up off coast of South Africa (2013)

Barge Accident at Westshore Coal Terminal in BC (2012) Photo from CKNW News Talk 980.

Accidents (Preventable) Sago and Upper Big Branch (West VA) mine explosions/cave-ins Elk River (WVa) coal terminal leak/contamination Others

Trains Wear and tear on RR tracks RR limited by federal law from paying more than 5% costs for improvements in at-grade crossings, bridges, tunnels, and overpasses Costs will be borne by local municipalities, state and federal taxpayers

Health Effects Diesel particulate matter: – impaired lung development – pulmonary inflammation and lung cancer – increased risk of heart attacks/strokes/cancer/asthma

Health Effects Diesel particulate matter: – increases cardiopulmonary and all- cause mortality – developmental neurotoxin Perinatal exposure increases risk for autism spectrum disorder, ADHD- related symptoms

Health Effects Coal Dust: Up to 645 lbs. (3%) lost per car during transit Surfactant decreases, but does not eliminate, risk

Health Effects Coal Dust: – Chronic bronchitis/emphysema/pulmonary fibrosis – Exposure to heavy metals – 3-fold increased risk of cancer in coal terminal workers in Australia – Organic gardeners/farmers

“Plumes of coal dust can often be seen from passing coal trains. When standing near the rail lines, I have often had to avert my face when a loaded coal train passes to avoid being pelted with coal particles.” William VanHook, Assistant VP, BNSF

Health Effects Noise: – Cardiovascular disease – Stroke – Cognitive impairment in children – Exacerbation of mental health disorders – Sleep disturbances

Health and Environmental Effects Worst effects on: – Communities of color, children, older adults, and low income citizens – Native Americans Tribal fishing sites (Native American fish consumption up to 10X U.S. avg. of 14 lbs/yr) – Organic gardeners – Quality of life for all

Frequent, Long Train Crossings Delayed EMS and fire department response times Increased accidents, traumatic injuries, deaths

Consequences of Burning Coal Increased ground level ozone Mercury (and other heavy metals) neurotoxic – Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD, lowered IQ, anxiety, depression, aggression, and social problems

Consequences of Burning Coal Mercury: – 300, ,000 U.S. women of reproductive age with toxic levels EPA states 75,000 newborns/yr in US have increased risk of learning disabilities associated with mercury exposure in the womb – Vast amounts of water needed for cooling and processing

Consequences of Burning Coal Air pollution: – 200,000 premature deaths/yr in U.S. – million worldwide (1/8 deaths) 2.1 – 3.3 million (outdoor air pollution) million (indoor air pollution)

Consequences of Burning Coal Fine particle air pollution from existing coal plants caused over 13,200 deaths in the US in 2010Fine particle air pollution from existing coal plants caused over 13,200 deaths in the US in 2010 Government program promoting coal use in Northern China may cut life expectancy of 500 million people by average 5 yrs Government program promoting coal use in Northern China may cut life expectancy of 500 million people by average 5 yrs

Consequences of Burning Coal Global warming: – 400,000 deaths and million disability- adjusted life years lost per year (WHO, UN Environment Program) Expected to double by 2030 – Weather extremes – Power from Coal (sponsored educational curriculum from American Coal Foundation): “The earth could benefit rather than be harmed by increasing carbon dioxide.”

True Cost of Fossil Fuels Global tax benefits and fossil fuel subsidies = $5.3 trillion – Higher than what governments worldwide spend on public health – If all such benefits and subsidies were stopped, 1.6 million preventable deaths/yr would be averted

True Cost of Fossil Fuels U.S. = $502 billion in fossil fuel subsidies in 2012 – Subsidies for polluting energy sources greater than 12 times subsidies for renewables (excluding military costs) – Public health costs = 2X electricity rates

True Cost of Fossil Fuels When subsidies and externalities taken into account, renewables look great Even so, Peabody Energy attempting to rebrand coal as a cure for poverty

Jobs Progressives (who oppose coal exports) traditionally support unions, green energy jobs, living wage, health insurance for all, etc. Coal exports - Short-term, unhealthy jobs

Jobs and Property Values Effect on local retailers and their often low wage employees Rail capacity limited, Montana farm exports may suffer Seattle study predicts rail crossing congestion could cost up to $455,000/yr in lost revenue plus an additional $475 million in diminished real estate values – Negative effects on tourism

Jobs Jobs program for pulmonologists, special ed teachers, and morticians

Recent Developments Show Coal’s Future is Bleak Coal export prices down dramatically: 2011 ($130/ton) → 2015 ($58/ton) Investors abandoning coal World Bank and U.S. sharply restricting funding of (overseas) coal plants (2013)

Recent Developments Show Coal’s Future is Bleak Average U.S. coal plant is 42 yrs. old – Last Oregon coal plant (Boardman) to close in /15 proposals to build major new coal export facilities in the US defeated or cancelled between 2013 and 2015

Recent Developments Show Coal’s Future is Bleak Chinese demand expected to drop with development of nuclear and renewables (currently coal = 66% of China’s energy consumption) Air pollution situation “grim” (1.23 million premature deaths in China in 2010)

Recent Developments Show Coal’s Future is Bleak China has banned new coal plant production near Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou and promised to close 2,000 small coal mines by 2015 Banning coal sales and use in 6 main districts of Beijing by 2020 Plans to increase renewables and nuclear energy

HOWEVER… 2015: US Interior Department’s Regional Management Plan authorizes sale of $10.2 billion of Powder River Basin coal (on 106,000 acres of public land) at far below market prices Would negate most other Obama administration actions to control carbon emissions

Desperation Supporters using amoral logic of “someone else will sell it to them” – similar to tobacco exports Coal companies funding harassment of U.S. scientists

The Latest Many new coal and oil terminals planned for Gulf of Mexico (if Pacific NW plans do not work out) – $500 million oil terminal proposed for Portland – Supported by state and federal funds – If all coal export terminals, oil-by-rail facilities, oil pipelines, and natural gas pipelines planned for the Pacific NW are completed and fully utilized, the region could export fossil fuels carrying 5X as much carbon as the proposed Keystone Pipeline

The Latest Plans to use railways and terminals to transport Canadian Tar Sands and North Dakota Bakken Oil Field fracked oil through Pacific NW for export 2008: 9,500 rail cars carrying oil in the U.S.; 2014: over 400,000 cars (a 4,000% increase) – 100 cars/train, each car carries 30,000 gal of crude oil

The Latest Pipelines on wheels 2013: Trains carrying crude oil exploded, spilled, or derailed 117 times – E.g., Lac-Megantic, Quebec – 47 killed, $1.2 billion damage (2013) More crude oil spilled in U.S. rail accidents in 2013 than in previous 40 yrs combined

Lac-Megantic, Quebec, 2013

The Latest Federal government predicts trains hauling crude oil or ethanol will derail an avg of 10X/yr over the next 2 decades, causing more than $4 billion in damage and possibly killing hundreds if they occur in a densely populated region 16 million Americans live within 0.5 km of one of the existing lines

The Latest Old (dangerous) tanker cars slowly being phased out Speed limit of 40 mph set for cities with large populations Track, bridges aging, fire departments not prepared to handle blazes (special equipment required) Crude by Rail Safety Act pending in Senate

The Latest Obama’s Clean Power Plan will require power plants to reduce carbon emissions by 32% from 2005 levels between now and 2030 – Will prevent 3,600 premature deaths Coal to Clean Energy Bill: – OR to transition from coal to clean energy by 2025 – Overwhelming public support – Would be cost-effective/beneficial – Pending in OR legislature

What is Being Done Protests Lawsuits Local measures passing Pressure on governments/officials

What You Can Do Join Power Past Coal Coalition Volunteer Demand a halt to all proposals

Conclusions Coal is a dying 19 th Century technology with Dickensian effects on human health and the environment The consequences of coal transport through the Pacific Northwest and its subsequent burning in Asian power plants is bad for the Northwest, the United States, and the world

Conclusions U.S. needs an energy policy for the 21 st century, using clean technologies that provide long-term, well-paying, and safe jobs

Günter Grass “The first job of a citizen is to keep your mouth open.”

African Proverb If you think you are too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in your tent

Special Thanks To Regna Merritt, Margie Kircher, Andy Harris, Susan Katz, and others at Oregon PSR – Laura Stevens and others, Oregon Sierra Club/Beyond Coal Campaign Alan Lockwood, National PSR Thousands of concerned citizens who have volunteered their time and energy

Resources Power Past Coal: Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign: Coal’s Assault on Human Health (Physicians for Social Responsibility): on-human-health.html on-human-health.html

Resources Oregon PSR Resources: ironmental-health-/proposed-coal- exports.html and ironmental-health-/ ironmental-health-/proposed-coal- exports.html ironmental-health-/

Resources Full cost accounting for the life cycle of coal (Ann NY Acad Sci 2011;1219: Available at es_files/epstein_full%20cost%20of%20co al.pdf es_files/epstein_full%20cost%20of%20co al.pdf

Contact Information Public Health and Social Justice Website: or Martin Donohoe