KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

Gee Scott: “Throw out the Sea-Tac lawsuit!”

Apr 20, 2023, 11:19 AM | Updated: 2:46 pm

SeaTac...

Rainy evening at the SeaTac airport in Seattle, WA. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Gee Scott claimed the class-action lawsuit against SeaTac Airport and some airlines should “be thrown out of court.”

The case accuses the defendants of knowingly spewing harmful pollutants creating health issues for people living in nearby communities.

“If that shows up to my courtroom, I’m throwing it out as fast as it comes in,” Gee said on KIRO Newsradio’s Gee & Ursula Show. “And the reason why is, we wake up every single morning knowing what’s going on around the airport. We know all of the things that we’re dealing with.”

Lawsuit against Port of Seattle, Alaska, Delta alleges toxic pollutants

Gee said that there are pollutants all around us and used the example of emissions from vehicles. He also brought up food.

“We know that the foods that we’re eating have chemicals. If you remember the chicken that you used to buy at the grocery store, remember what your chicken looked like in 1980 compared to what it looks like in 2023. How about them fat strawberries the size of my head?”

Ursula Reutin pointed out that “the lawsuit argues the port went ahead with construction of a new international arrivals facility” despite pollution issues.

She also said the new concourse is supposed to double international passenger capacity.

Ursula outlined that “there have been studies done. And I looked at some of the University of Washington studies, and now they haven’t directly said that airport pollution is the direct cause [of health issues], but they have identified that there is airport pollution. There’s also pollution from your cars. There’s pollution from what’s inside your building. And there’s pollution everywhere.”

Ursula said it would be very difficult to prove that airport pollution is the direct cause of certain diseases.

“Look, this might be hard to prove, but it also might be true,” Producer Andrew “Chef” Lanier said. “It took decades for State Attorneys General to hold cigarette companies to account because it is incredibly difficult to prove multifactorial environmental issues as a root cause of, say, your cancer.”

More from Gee Scott: ‘I don’t want a Bourbon Street here’ regarding ‘Sip ‘n Stroll’ plan

The group all agreed that this lawsuit will be cited in any plans to build a second major airport in the area.

“I want to point out that 300,000 people live within the five-mile area of Sea-Tac, and the lead attorney on the case says he’s hoping for remediation from the port,” Ursula said.

“I just want to know what they are doing to the strawberries,” Gee exclaimed.

Listen to Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Gee and Ursula Show

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

WA oil gas prices summer...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘Long, hot, expensive summer at the pump’: Jake and Spike break down WA’s soaring gas prices

Jake and Spike recapped some of the factors contributing to rising gas prices, and why it's forecasted to be a "hot, expensive summer" in Seattle.

4 hours ago

seattle mayor katie wilson budget deficit billion...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘You think this could be a firing?’: Jake, Spike question latest abrupt exit from Mayor Wilson’s office

Concerns rise over Sage Wilson's sudden departure from Mayor Wilson's office. Jake and Spike question if this is indicative of a firing?

1 day ago

Jimothy (1) seattle raccoon ballard...

Charlie Harger

Harger: We find something pure and we love it so hard we ruin it. Jimothy needs an exit strategy

Jimothy is a sensation. One week ago, we first brought you the story of this goofy raccoon on our show. Every day since, the Jimothy content has multiplied.

1 day ago

Seattle free lunch school...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Another rookie mistake by Mayor Wilson’: Gee and Ursula clash over who stalled Seattle’s free school lunch plan

Mayor Katie Wilson's initiative for free meals in schools faces hurdles. Explore the debate and its implications for Seattle students.

2 days ago

congress affordable housing home...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Congress just cut thousands of dollars off the only home a lot of Americans can afford

What's going on is that lawmakers in both parties have figured out affordable housing is sinking them with a big part of the country.

2 days ago

silverware at a diner - capitol hill...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘The restaurant remains open’: Gee, Ursula stunned by Capitol Hill business owner’s alleged $1.5M tax scheme

A Capitol Hill restaurant faces scrutiny as its owner is charged with stealing $1.5M in payroll taxes from employees.

3 days ago

Gee Scott: “Throw out the Sea-Tac lawsuit!”