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cnett
Since 23 Aug 2010
115 Posts
PDX
Stoked
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unbob
Since 31 Aug 2008
260 Posts
'da Gorge/LaV
Obsessed
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 Mon Aug 20, 12 12:19 pm |
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This scheme sucks too for Jones Beach. Port Westward Industrial Park (where the coal barges will off-load coal to China-bound ships) is only about 5 miles upriver from JB. Thus, those coal ships will pass directly in front of JB as they travel back and forth to China.
What a great country this is! We have the EPA and multitudes of eco-friendly organizations attempting to "save-the-planet" by shutting down coal-fired power plants in the US - while at the same time we ramp-up our production of coal to be exported to other countries where pollution controls are nearly non-existent!
Once again, jobs and $$$ trump everything!
* Exports would increase Northwest diesel and coal dust pollution, especially near marine terminals, squeeze rail and barge routes, and split communities with long and loud coal trains.
* A reliable U.S. supply would encourage more Asian coal plants. That would reduce prospects for renewable power, increase destructive mining, and boost pollution and global warming, just as America is cutting back on coal.
* "Clean coal" remains the dirtiest source of electricity. Asian power plants have weaker pollution controls, and hazardous mercury emissions from Asia's coal burning drift to the Northwest on trade winds.
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Slack Lines Suck! |
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cgka
Since 18 Jul 2006
278 Posts
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 20, 12 2:27 pm |
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The CGKA Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Friends of the Gorge, made a unanimous decision to take a stand against the coal trains and barge transportation via the Columbia Gorge River and Region.
We originally did this as a partnership as well, with the CGWA to make a statement of our joined support against this sort of issue.
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[b:13763ca0d3]The CGKA is your advocate for Kiteboarding in the Gorge! [i:13763ca0d3] Join now: [/i:13763ca0d3]GorgeKiter.com/join[/b:13763ca0d3] |
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cnett
Since 23 Aug 2010
115 Posts
PDX
Stoked
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| Mon Aug 20, 12 2:42 pm |
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| Way to take a stand CGKA!! Now that's a reason why to become a CGKA member. Sign me up! |
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apctjb
Since 19 Aug 2007
438 Posts
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 20, 12 5:48 pm |
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Ditto!!!
I read that this could result in +40 uncovered coal trains a day going through the gorge!!
Imagine the coal dust. Isn't coal dust what causes black lung and a known carcinogen?
What happened to the gorge being a National Scenic Area or are coal trains the new definition of wild and scenic.. |
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consumer
Since 28 Nov 2010
406 Posts
banned
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 20, 12 9:23 pm |
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| Why can't they just transport with covers? |
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kitezilla
Since 22 Jun 2006
453 Posts
gorge
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 8:03 am |
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| Or spray "foam" on top. |
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cnett
Since 23 Aug 2010
115 Posts
PDX
Stoked
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 8:34 am |
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Sure there is a health impact from dust (cancer, mercury in the fish) and Big Coal is saying they have a fix for that (if you trust Big Coal from Australia). But nevermind that... this article is about the increased traffic either on the rail or in barges and its impact on river recreation--which happens to be a major economic driver for the Gorge.
Do you think barge traffic is a problem now for kiteboarding? Try multiplying it by 10! Then see how much fun kiteboarding and other activities are on the river.
Do you think train traffic and the diesel emissions are already a problem in the Gorge? Add 60 trains per day (30 going west with coal, then 30 empty going back east). I wonder how that will impact river access and beautiful towns like Mosier or kiteboarding at Jones Beach?
The Oregonian is archiving everything on this issue at http://projects.oregonlive.com/coal/ and you should read up on it. It really is going to change everything in the Columbia Gorge-- forever. I'm really quite surprised that this topic hasn't been all that present on this forum. It is a direct threat to our sport in this region.
Its great that CGKA is opposed to this sort of stuff since it will negatively impact the sport of kiteboarding in Oregon & Washington. If you think so too, you should also support CGKA. |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 9:17 am |
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| Does anyone know if Brent Foster is working on this? Seems like it's right up his alley. |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1342 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 2:57 pm |
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| Forrest wrote: | | Does anyone know if Brent Foster is working on this? Seems like it's right up his alley. |
Judging by the current Riverkeeper web site I'd say yes...
http://columbiariverkeeper.org/
Ah, correction, he doesn't seem to be associated there anymore, sorry. |
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Hein
Since 08 Mar 2005
1314 Posts
Possessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 4:25 pm |
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Maybe if we call off the EPA
(who's current enviro-nazi 'czar' was appointed by Obama)
We could burn the coal ourselves.
They really do it pretty cleanly these days.
(more cleanly then where it will be shipped for sure)
That would make our domestic energy more affordable for the less fortunate among us.
Then it would be shipped east, not west.
That would mean the government would need to stop trying to manipulate energy policy. I'm pretty sure that Representative Ryan supports that. Less government, that is.
I'm not in favor of coal trains. Personally, I think the noise (especially at night) will be the bigger nuisance. |
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brass
Since 15 Jul 2006
152 Posts
Stoked
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 4:36 pm |
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| Hein wrote: |
That would mean the government would need to stop trying to manipulate energy policy. I'm pretty sure that Representative Ryan supports that. Less government, that is.
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Because big business does such an awesome job when it's left to manipulate energy policy. |
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Hein
Since 08 Mar 2005
1314 Posts
Possessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 4:57 pm |
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| brass wrote: | | Hein wrote: |
That would mean the government would need to stop trying to manipulate energy policy. I'm pretty sure that Representative Ryan supports that. Less government, that is.
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Because big business does such an awesome job when it's left to manipulate energy policy. |
The manipulation takes place via the government. Big business is only there because it pays to manipulate the government. And most people in government are easily manipulated.
Edit:
The Obama EPA is being challenged in the courts (and losing) but much of the damage to our economy has already been done:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443989204577603462733432478.html
From the article:
| Quote: | "The court found that the feds also broke the law by dictating the measures to be used to reduce emissions instead of allowing states to design their own plans, as the statute demands. "Congress did not authorize EPA to simply adopt limits on emissions as EPA deemed reasonable," wrote Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
The flawed rule would have hit coal-fired electric plants in particular, and especially those based in Texas. EPA's illegal micro-managing of state air-quality plans was so specific that immediately after the rule-making it was clear that coal-powered energy production at Texas-based plants operated by Luminant, a big utility, would have to be cut. Tuesday's ruling means Luminant will be able to keep 1,300 megawatts of power online in Texas, which needs more electricity because unlike other parts of the U.S. in the Obama era it is growing." |
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moondog
Since 15 Aug 2007
706 Posts
white salmon
Addicted
CGKA Member
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 5:57 pm |
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1,257 extra barges a year, now there is a scary thought! Initially they started with trains. With the huge outcry of coal dust they are resorting to covered barges. Ever kited behind a barge and smelled what they do to the Quality of air! Add 1,257 a year! We get to smell it twice when it comes back from China on the jetstream!
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moondog |
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cnett
Since 23 Aug 2010
115 Posts
PDX
Stoked
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| Wed Aug 22, 12 7:40 am |
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| moondog wrote: | | 1,257 extra barges a year, now there is a scary thought!! |
Yes, it is scary. This is a great conversation, but there are plenty of other forums to talk about all the ideology around the issue of coal, energy and government. I'm purely interested in a conversation on this forum about how 1,257 additional barges and 60 additional trains per year will impact our Gorge playground and the sport of kiteboarding.
That's what we should be talking about on this forum. And... talking about what we could do about it. Unless of course, you want to kiteboard with the addtional traffic and lung disease. If that's you, omit this thread.
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CGKA Member |
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apctjb
Since 19 Aug 2007
438 Posts
Obsessed
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| Wed Aug 22, 12 11:12 am |
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| Quote: | | and 60 additional trains per year |
I think that is 60 trains a day... |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1342 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Wed Aug 22, 12 3:39 pm |
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| Hein wrote: | | "in Texas, which needs more electricity because unlike other parts of the U.S. in the Obama era it is growing." |
Now that's what I call unbiased journalism. |
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