Coal facts appreciated

Shame on Richard Creed for the unfair tactic of addressing hysteria with facts and figures. I’m sure David Camp (March 24) feels unfairly treated.

Creed’s April 4 letter (“Different train of thought”) puts the lie to much of what the no-coal-train crowd raises as objections to the use of existing rail lines, and transporting a legal and benign cargo along its right of way. Powder River Basin coal is sought after throughout the world for its lower emissions profile. Its only drawback is its high moisture content. Fugitive dust isn’t a legitimate concern in the mining, transport or handling of this coal. Its high moisture content makes it difficult to handle because it tends to clog handling equipment.

I guess next we’ll have Camp campaigning against dust blown into Spokane from cultivated farm lands, and against the smoke blown in by the annual forest fires.

John McTear

Coeur d’Alene