Resolution 12631A,- pulne 0 111glamimm
A RESOLUTION STATING EDMONDS' OPPOSITION TO
TRANSPORTING COAL ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE
AND ON THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE
RAILWAY ALONG PUGET SOUND TO EXPORT FOR
OVERSEAS CONSUMPTION
WHEREAS, Edmonds has committed itself to being a leader in protecting the environment, air
quality, and Puget Sound, and
WHEREAS, mounting evidence demonstrates the overwhelming negative impacts of coal
mining and combustion on public health, and
WHEREAS, Washington State already recognizes the severe economic, public health, and
environmental impacts of climate change on this state (Executive Order No. 0905), and
WHEREAS, Washington State and other states are taking steps toward reducing American
dependence on coal-fired power, including the recent passage of TransAlta Energy Transition Bill,
which will retire the two remaining coal-fired power plants in Washington State by 2025, and
WHEREAS, coal is commonly transported via opentop rail cars contaminating cities, towns,
farmland, forestland, streams, and rivers across Washington State with coal dust and chunks of coal, and
WHEREAS, coal contains toxic heavy metals - including mercury, arsenic, and lead - and
exposure to these toxic heavy metals in high concentrations is linked to cancer and birth defects, and
WHEREAS, increased rail traffic will lead to an increase in diesel emissions in communities
along rail lines, and
WHEREAS, coal export terminals in other parts of the nation and world are associated with
significant air and water pollution, and
WHEREAS, coal shipments through Edmonds are expected to add as many as 18 trains per day,
and
WHEREAS, an additional 18 trains per day will inhibit the travel of emergency vehicles to our
Senior Center, underwater dive park and waterfront residences and businesses, and
WHEREAS, an additional 18 trains per day will endanger pedestrians, and inhibit access to our
waterfront for fishing, diving, and other recreational uses, and
WHEREAS, an additional 18 trains per day will cause increased delays in ferry loading and
unloading having detrimental effects on traffic congestion and air quality due to idling cars, and
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WHEREAS, increased noise from large freight trains have been shown to have a negative impact
on health, and
WHEREAS, increased freight train traffic will have a negative effect on property values, and
WHEREAS, Edmonds and the region are not equipped to 'respond to the; environmental
devastation a coal train derailment would have on Puget Sound or the Edmonds Marsh, and
WHEREAS, Washington has been a national leader in creating clean -energy jobs and
innovating, developing, demonstrating, and marketing clean energy technologies and practices that
promote sustainable global economic development, and coal export promotes the most destructive and
unsustainable energy development practices.
NOW THEREFORE E IT RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds opposes coal- export
terminals in Washington State, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds supports economic growth that does
not jeopardize Washington State's commitment to fight the serious impacts of climate change, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds urges the Governor and the
Legislature to work on a comprehensive policy opposing coal export terminals in Washington State, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds intends to address any impacts to
public health and/or property caused by the transport of coal_ through_ Edmonds by actively enforcing
local public health, safety, building, electrical, and fire codes, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds intends to address any impacts to
surface and/or groundwater caused by the transport of coal through _ Edmonds ,by actively enforcing
applicable federal environmental statutes delegated to Edmonds, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds will request that the railroad mitigate
any public safety hazards created by the transport of coal through Edmonds such as access by
emergency vehicles to the senior center and waterfront, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds will request from the railroad, and
make public, any plans for new or expanded rail facilities or; significant rail traffic volume increases
within Edmonds, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds will request that the railroad provide
representatives to meet periodically with local _ citizen groups and local government officials from
Edmonds to seek mutually acceptable ways to address local concerns, and
E IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds will request that the railroad submit an
emergency environmental clean-up plan in case of a derailment into Puget Sound or the Edmonds
Marsh, and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED ' that the City of Edmonds will request that the railroad perform
environmental monitoring of noise, air, groundwater, and surface water quality on an ongoing basis ani
that the results will be shared with local and state agencies, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds will request that the railroad carefully
monitor the loading of coal at the coal mines as part of the contract(s) with the coal companies to assure
best loading practices in order to reduce the amount of coal and coal dust coming out of the rail cars, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Edmonds will request that the railroad write up
road improvement plans for grading, widening, or otherwise providing crossings at intersections that
would be impacted by rail traffic increases and require the railroad to pay for these upgra es, an
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Edmonds City Clerk transmit copies of this resolution
io the Governor of Washington, the State Lands Commissioner and to each Senator and Representative
from the I st, 21 st and 3 2nd Legislative Districts in the State of Washington Legislature, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Edmonds City Clerk be directed to transmit copies of
this resolution to each Senator and Representative from Washington State in the Congress of the United
States.
Adopted this 22"d day of November, 2011.
MAYOR, MIKE COOPER
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 11-18-2011
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 11-22-2011
RESOLUTION NO. 1263
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