2011-11-03 Mayor's Climate Protection Committee AgenAA
City of Edmonds Climate Protection Committee
11/3/2011
Brackett Room
In attendance:
Bob Freeman, Carolyn Chapel, Council President Strom Peterson, Howard Chermak, Janice Freeman, Jen
Machuga, Jim Stevens, Mayor Mike Cooper, Mike Heavey, Mike Landau, Richard Bisbee, Rob Chave,
Sally Lider, Steve Fisher
9:00 Meeting opens
• Mayor Cooper sends the regrets of Rebecca Wolfe. She will make her update next month.
• Jim Stevens stated the draft final report from Cascadia Consulting will be delivered on
November 181h and likely will be finalized by early December at latest.
• Council President Strom Peterson stated that the council will be discussing a proposed
ordinance dealing with food containers.
• Cherry Point
■ Mayor Cooper outlined the scope of the EIS of the Project at Cherry Point and its potential
impact on the City of Edmonds:
♦ Cherry Point project is a bulk (coal) terminal proposed by SSA Marine. The bulk
product would be shipped to China. Existing similar port in B.C. is currently maxed
out. It is expect that there will be 10/20 more crossing in Edmonds (depending on
the return trip of the rail cars). The shipments are not covered. Edmonds has unique
situation in relation to crossings.
■ Bellingham's Mayor Pike penned a letter opposing the project. Mayor Cooper felt the
wording was too strong. He declined to sign on, figured it was better to be part of the
solution than part of the problem.
■ C.P. Peterson raised the following concerns:
♦ -public safety access from additionally crossings will be a concern.
♦ -exhaust from idling cars, (passenger and rail cars).
♦ -need to know more specific info from BSNF on length and travel times of trains
■ Mayor Cooper points out that it is unfortunate that train emissions aren't regulated like car
and truck emissions
■ Carolyn Chapel raised concerns that the Climate Protection Committee is not addressing the
larger question of coal, China, and Climate change.
■ Mayor Cooper says it's not in the City's capacity to comment on issues outside the scope of
the EIS. However Mayor and Council President agreed that it may be appropriate to address
the larger issues with a resolution from the Council and Mayor.
■ Janice Freeman brought up issue of noise pollution consequently adversely affecting
property values.
■ Cynthia Pruitt, calling her previous work with EIS's, stated it was important to consider the
logistical aspects, strategies to address mitigation, and finding a person to take lead to
address the larger issues outside of the scope.
■ Hank Landau asked what kind of mitigation should the city expect. Answer safety at grade
crossings
■ CP Peterson we need to have plans/legislation for response in care of derailment, just as we
do for oil spills.
City of Edmonds Climate Protection Committee
Hank Landau asked about the Tulalips and their position with relation to the Model Toxic
Control Act. He states the can cite "potential damages", i.e. uncovered cars and use existing
data to compel BSNF to cover the loads.
10:00 Meeting closed