Dirty Coal Exports Threaten Paducah and the Ohio River
- al: Sierra Club
- destinatario: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Less than a year after Paducah residents defeated a similar proposal, Southern Coal is trying again to exploit the Ohio River to export massive amounts of dirty coal out-of-state and overseas. Their new trick -- moving the proposed site a short distance down the river in an attempt to avoid zoning hurdles and thwart the will of the people.
A new report shows the Ohio River leads the nation in toxic discharges and this terminal threatens to make that worse -- impacting the health of local communities, our air, and our waterways. We won an amazing victory last year when hundreds of residents spoke out in opposition to coal exports, leading to a rejection of the rezoning proposal tied to the project. Now we need your help again.
Tell the Army Corps of Engineers -- No Dirty Coal Terminal in Paducah!
Dear Mr. Robert J. Brown, CELRL-OP-FW
I am writing to comment on the proposed Section 404 permit for the Four Rivers Terminal in Paducah, KY, Public Notice ID No. LRL-2012-0035-rjb. I have grave concerns about the environmental and public health impacts of this proposed development on my community, and I strongly urge the Army Corps of Engineers to deny this permit.
[Your comments here]
The residents of Paducah already opposed and defeated a nearly identical proposal for a new coal terminal last year, which was proposed for a site two miles away from the current proposal. Numerous citizens expressed their concerns about impacts of a large coal terminal in Paducah, which would include increased fugitive coal dust, increased diesel emissions from the trains and ships transporting the coal, and adverse impacts to the watershed from the construction and operation of the facility. Now, the same companies that were behind the prior proposal have submitted a new proposal for a terminal that will be located within the city limits of Paducah. Communities are no place for coal terminals; studies have demonstrated that the fugitive coal dust and diesel emissions from these type of facilities have grave health impacts, particularly on respiratory health. Furthermore, storm water runoff from the open storage of coal can emit heavy metals and other toxins into the watershed. The Army Corp should not grant the Section 404 permit for this facility without a full analysis of these numerous and significant impacts, and the public should be fully informed of these impacts through a full Environmental Impact Statement.
Thank your for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
