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Coal Train980
Along the West Coast there is now a debate over whether to build a string of ports to ship immense amounts of coal to Asia. (AP Photo)

Here come the coal trains

BY Dave Ross  on December 14, 2012 @ 12:16 pm (Updated: 3:10 pm - 12/14/12 )

Along the West Coast there is now a debate over whether to build a string of ports to ship immense amounts of coal to Asia.

It would mean many jobs, but also many long coal trains rolling through cities like Seattle.

"We can have good jobs and we can protect the environment."

The business community was all in at Thursday's public hearing, but the talking Polar Bear was not.

"If we burnt all the coal in the ground, we'd heat this planet many times. My brothers and sisters are already struggling."

The bear had about 2,000 protesters on his side. So we're back to the same debate.

Let me make a suggestion:

Jobs are important, but since putting carbon into the air does have consequences, some people, like former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis, want to replace part of the income tax with a tax on carbon.

"Yes, a tax swap. Let's put a tax on something we want less of and un-tax something we want more of," says Inglis.

Make companies pay up front for the consequences of their product.

"It does cause the price of gas to go up. It does cause the price of electricity to go up," sayd Inglis.

But that might encourage the free market, all on its own, to create cleaner sources of energy.

Here's another idea, maybe the coal company executives should have to live near the tracks used by the coal trains. Really nice houses, but near the tracks. Or along the Jersey Shore or some other place directly affected by sea level. Just have some skin in the game.

In my first radio job, the studio was right there at the transmitter. Whatever waves I created hit me first, which is the way it should be.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (7)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    The real question is will McGinn be able to paint bicycle zones on railroad tracks ?
    December 14, 2012 2:57 pm
    But, China is going to get that coal anyway. So why not make a buck or two passing it through Seattle? ... And if we ever DO start taxing carbon, HEY, no question what coal is.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    We need the exports
    December 14, 2012 4:49 pm
    and the jobs. These enviro nuts think that China won't pollute the earth if we don't sell them our coal,lol. They will find someone else to sell them coal and still pollute the earth. GET'R DONE PLEASE.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Good family wage jobs and a big trade deficit with China.
    December 14, 2012 7:08 pm
    It's a no brainer.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "Whatever waves I created hit me first, which is the way it should be. "
    December 15, 2012 9:49 am
    Finally a reason for the way you behave.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Key words: China, U.S. Energy Resources, Obama, Trade Deficit, EPA
    December 16, 2012 10:27 am
    see also: "The Manchurian Candidate"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    One major problem:
    December 19, 2012 2:50 pm
    Beyond the unhealthy filth those cars full of coal will dump surrounding every inch of track, the sheer number of trains they're talking about...18 per day, on top of the number of trains that already use those tracks...will greatly disrupt commerce coming through the ports of Tacoma and Seattle. The entire waterfront will be inaccessible for long periods at a time, multiple time every day. All to provide a few jobs in a remote corner of the state.

    It just doesn't pencil out.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    Run the trains
    December 24, 2012 10:56 pm
    At night. 9:00 p.m.- 5:00 a.m.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }