Bellingham Comments from Digital Recorder - EISs for the Proposed ...

GATEWAY PACIFIC TERMINAL EIS SCOPING HEARING VOL. II
COURT REPORTER: BETH DRUMMOND PROCEEDING DATE: October 27, 2012
Page 19
1 the EIS include a comprehensive study of the long-term
2 global implications of coal combustion.
3 The proposal to haul and ship coal from the
4 Powder River Basin has one end and one end alone:
5 The coal is to be burned.
6 How would the combustion of coal via the Gateway
7 Pacific Terminal exacerbate the problems of climate change
8 and ocean acidification. How might the climate change and
9 ocean acidification affect the health, safety and well-being
10 of my son and everyone else who lives here? Thank you.
11 MS. STRAUSZ-CLARK: No. 4, 5, and 6. 4 at the
12 microphone, 5 and 6 at the desk.
13 Please state your name for the record.
14 THE SPEAKER: My name is Steve McMinn. I live in
15 Bellingham. I would like the EIS to address the cost of
16 delays at rail crossings for businesses in the entire GPT
17 coal train corridor.
18 I believe that this project, as proposed, will
19 cannibalize existing businesses, leading to a net job loss
20 in the region.
21 My own business would certainly be hurt. I
22 operate a small sawmill, Pacific Rim Tonewoods up the Skagit
23 River. We make wooden parts for guitars. If you've played
24 or looked at a Martin, Taylor, or Gibson guitar built in the
25 last 25 years, we've likely cut wood for it.