Bill Preventing State Funding of Coal Train Passes Full Senate With Overwhelming Vote

Coal train Netoe, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Coal train [Netoe via Wikicommons]

Press release from Senator Mike McGuire’s Office:

Senator Mike McGuire’s legislation to stop one of the largest environmental threats California and the North Coast has seen in decades — a proposal from a secret, clandestine operation that wants to ship millions of tons of coal through Northern California — passed with overwhelming bipartisan support on the Senate floor Monday.

“The proposed toxic coal train is an environmental disaster in the making. The midwest coal would travel through the Sierras, across the Golden State through the heart of our thriving communities, ancient redwoods, and directly along the banks of the Eel and Russian rivers, which are the main drinking water source for nearly 1 million residents. It is crucial we stop this dangerous proposal – it transcends politics, and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support.”

SB 307 will protect California by preventing all state funding from initiating improvements on the now defunct North Coast rail line north of the City of Willits. Further, it bans state money from being spent on the buildout of any new potential bulk coal terminal facilities at the Port of Humboldt.

The bill passed in the Senate with 33-2 bipartisan vote. The bill will now be sent on to the Assembly for its committee process.

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15 Comments
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Me
Guest
Me
2 years ago

Better tell Rex baby.

Ice
Guest
Ice
2 years ago

Not that I’m in favor of it, but isn’t the proposed coal train a modern, completely sealed compartment train that wouldn’t pollute coal dust? And how come the tracks are unrepairable for other freight but repairable for this project? It was built with hardly any heavy equipment by hand 100 years ago but can’t be fixed today with modern equipment and technology?

Smoky OG again
Guest
Smoky OG again
2 years ago
Reply to  Ice

Hello Ice you sound new to the Northcoast and the many issues on this line.
There is a very long history of continous costly disasters on that line. And no there’s no technology that can fix unstable ground. So this bills passage is Positve News for the Eel river!
They can ship coal out of Houston or NO all day long as it’s already built up for it. They only wanted to ship out of West coast port to avoid Panama canal fees. This would have minimal employment to locals and Huge Irreparable harm added to the already extensive destruction of the Eel River canyon by the lumber barons lumber train.
College of the Redwoods has many great research documents on the rails history.
Check it out and enjoy some interesting and disturbing history of that rail line.

ABA
Guest
ABA
2 years ago
Reply to  Ice

“Completely clean” according to the coal companies. Clean coal is a myth.

Just saying
Guest
Just saying
2 years ago
Reply to  ABA

” if you got money in your pocket and a switch on the wall, keep those dirty lights on “

willow creeker
Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Ice

I’m with you ice. We can do it. We are humans. Come on!

Two Dogs
Guest
Two Dogs
2 years ago
Reply to  Ice

With modern equipment and tech we can figure out a way to run an east west line. The Eel Canyons’ only advantage is the right of way, which is however no longer viable for a multitude of reasons.
Imagine the complexity of establishing an east west right of way, trying to get land owners to cooperate. I would think the eminent domain battle would be a real stumbling point.

Crap
Guest
Crap
2 years ago

What ever you do don’t let any new industry in Humboldt. Oh hell no that would be terrible never mind the poverty and lack of jobs that you can make a living at. Screw all that keep flipping burgers and be happy a.d dependant on the government instead of making a good living.

Damn idiots

Redwoodroller
Guest
Redwoodroller
2 years ago
Reply to  Crap

There’s a lot of money in flipping burgers these days

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
2 years ago
Reply to  Crap

If you consider yourself conservative you should applaud the ban on using government money for a questionable business venture.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
2 years ago

I’m glad they stopped something that was never going to happen in the first place.

Country Joe
Member
2 years ago

This is not a toxic coal train but it’s a great chance for more fear mongering by crazy California…

engineering.mit.edu › what-is-clean-coalMIT School of Engineering | » What is “clean” coal?

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
2 years ago

Thomas The Tank Engine has a new friend, John Coal Train.

willow creeker
Member
2 years ago

I still want a Choo Choo, I think it’d be a great way to take goods and people between the redwood coast and SF. I haven’t studied the routes or the logistics but I think it’s a great idea in general. Why not use the 101 corridor somehow?

burblestein
Guest
burblestein
2 years ago

I can’t believe anyone actually thinks this coal train is possible. How can anyone afford to ship coal via a wildly roundabout route over missing rails to a minor port?