California Goes to War with Coal-Producing States by Alice Greene 8/29/16
In
an effort to save the environment, the state of California has in effect gone
to war with America’s coal-producing states. This Friday, California Governor
Jerry Brown signed a controversial bill that will cut off state transportation
funding for future coal export terminals.
SB1279
is a victory for environmentalists seeking to block coal shipments from
California to energy-hungry Asia, and because the state of California controls
most ports that export commodities to Asia, SB1279 will affect the entire
nation.
But
California controls access to a large part of America's export capability to
Asia and Latin America. If this were a move between two countries, against a
commodity so important to certain states, it would be considered an act of
war.
SB1279
was originally introduced by California State Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland)
as a response to developer Phil Tagami’s failed proposal to build a new coal
terminal in Oakland. The project would have been funded in part by the state of
Utah, which was hoping to use the opportunity to create jobs in economically
depressed areas. Utah’s coal is currently shipped through ports in Stockton,
Richmond, and Long Beach.
On
top of the global warming effects, environmentalists believe that continuing to
export coal would discourage China and other nations from investing in clean
energy. “Coal is an antiquated industry and we need to accept that as a
reality and not think otherwise,” argues Oakland City councilmember Dan
Kalb.
Governor
Brown hopes to someday eliminate all coal shipments in the state of California.
“I believe action on multiple fronts will be necessary to transition away from
coal,” he said.
SB1279
will prohibit state transportation funds, a vital source of money for port
construction, from being used to expand current coal facilities or construct
new ones. The legislation applies to any project proposed after January 1st,
2017.
Critics
argue that coal should not be treated differently than other commodities and
point out that the bill may actually violate federal law.
The
coal debate has been growing across the West Coast as environmentalists clash
with hard-working men and women who make a living through the acquisition,
sale, and transport of coal. As the demand for coal in the United States
declines, companies in Wyoming, Montana, and Utah look to Asia for answers -
and this new legislation may have cut off their only source of profit.
“Today,
people can breathe easier knowing that beginning in January no coal-related
projects will receive state funding,” says Hancock. What the
environmentalists don’t seem to realize is that this sort of legislation
restricts growth and eliminates jobs for a working class that is in dire need
of more opportunities. Hancock and her environmentalists may be able to
“breathe easier” with such legislation, but they are only doing so by choking
off a vast number of blue-collar workers already desperate for jobs.
http://punchingbagpost.com/california-goes-to-war-with-coal-producing-states
1 comment:
“Coal is an antiquated industry and we need to accept that as a reality and not think otherwise,” argues Oakland City councilmember Dan Kalb.
Of course, in a FREE country, the MARKET - not some intellectually challenged minor bureaucrat - would make that decision.
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