Resolution 1363RESOLUTION NO. 1363
A RESOLUTION URGING THE PROHIBITION
OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF COAL VIA
RAIL THROUGH THE CITY OF EDMONDS
WHEREAS, the City Council has a responsibility and a duty to protect the health and
safety of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, as a signatory member of the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance ("SELA"),
Edmonds has committed itself to being a regional and national leader in addressing the adverse
impacts of climate change unequivocally linked to the burning of fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS, Edmonds has committed itself to protecting the environment and natural
resources of our community, the State of Washington, the United State of America, and the
Earth; and
WHEREAS, the burning of fossil fuels in the production of energy is unsustainable and is
in stark contradiction to the goals of Edmonds to mitigate and combat the effects of climate
change; and
WHEREAS, the transportation of coal ore via rail, and the burning of coal and other
fossil fuels in the production of energy, threatens both the personal health and safety of Edmonds
citizens as well as the health and safety of our natural resources and environment; and
WHEREAS, the coal transported via rail is exposed in open -top rail cars resulting in coal
dust contaminating all areas along the rail lines where coal is transported via train; and
WHEREAS, coal dust contamination has the potential to cause serious growth and
development conditions in children, cardiovascular and respiratory health problems, as well as,
the potential to pose a threat to personal safety and property; and
WHEREAS, all projected estimates evidence a significant increase in the number of coal
trains traveling the rail lines that run through Edmonds to export facilities in the State of
Washington and British Columbia, Canada; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds should join with other cities, localities, states, and
tribal nations in demanding a cessation of the use of fossil fuels for the production of energy and
of the transportation of fossil fuels via rail through populated areas; and
WHEREAS, prior resolutions passed by this Council, including: Resolution 1317 (2014),
and Resolution 1263 (2011), addressing the health and safety risks of the transportation of fossil
fuels via rail have not been adequately addressed by the governments of the State of Washington
or the United States of America, have not led to a decrease in the transportation of fossil fuels
through our community, and did not account for the increases in transportation of fossil fuels via
rail through Edmonds.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, THAT:
Section 1: The City of Edmonds adamantly supports and urges the transition of energy
production away from the consumption of fossil fuels and toward the implementation of a
sustainable, renewable, and environmentally friendly system of energy production.
Section 2: The City of Edmonds opposes the transportation of coal via rail through the
City of Edmonds, along the Puget Sound, and other populated areas.
Section 3: The City of Edmonds strongly urges the United States Department of
Transportation and the United States Congress to prohibit the transportation of coal via rail
through the City of Edmonds and all other populated areas.
Section 4: Copies of this resolution shall be transmitted by the City Clerk to the
President of the United States; the Secretary of the United States Department of
Transportation; the United States Secretary of Energy, each member of the United States
Congress elected from this State, including: Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell,
and Representative Jim McDermott; Governor Jay Inslee; each member of the Washington
State delegation representing the City of Edmonds from Districts 21 and 32, including:
Senator Maralyn Chase, Senator Marko Liias, Representative Cindy Ryu, Representative
Ruth Kagi, Representative Strom Peterson, and Representative Lillian Ortiz -Self.
RESOLVED this 28t' day of June, 2016.
CITY - EDMONDS
w
An
e
OR, DAVE EARLING
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK, SCOT ASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: June 24, 2016
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: June 28, 2016
1363
RESOLUTION NO.