Coal talk is cheap

Talk is cheap. Know why? Economics. Supply is greater than demand.

Some honesty about “economic benefits” from Millennium Bulk Terminals and rail coal transport? The industries don’t account, pay or take responsibility for many real costs and liabilities incurred creating profits: Costs for health, safety, environmental degradation, decreased home values. And community costs (emergency planning and responding, traffic impacts, infrastructure costs - roads and bridges).

There’s the increased health costs for individuals who will suffer impacts from increased coal dust, burning and diesel particulates. The industry tries to shift the focus from this cost. It is real and well-researched by the medical community.

They want you to pay the costs and liabilities with your dollars and sacrifices, while billionaire Warren Buffett and BNSF refuse to cover rail cars to prevent the spewing of coal dust. How arrogant is this? They want profits from mining, transport and burning to be private, but they want the costs and liabilities to be socialized, endured and paid for by the rest of us.

This worked in the past by talking “economic benefits.” We now know these were false, broken promises, putting costs and liabilities upon everyone else.

It’s irresponsible and no longer acceptable. Thousands of us are standing up, saying “No, we’re not distracted by your cheap talk.”

David Hunt

Spokane