Traces of coal found along Washington railways

dixiedog said on November 23, 2011 at 4:32 PM

Go ahead , kill more jobs. These people are all about control.

Vadalz said on August 23, 2011 at 12:52 PM

In English: Rail uses ‘bottom dump’ hopper coal cars. The cars lose coal dust from the top and drop large concentrated chucks through unsealed bottom coal car doors. Rail conducted a study finding if you do not count coal lost from the bottom, no coal is being lost. Utilities’ prefer open top cars based on gravity alone and less coal is lost. Rail is demanding Shippers to Consumers bear all costs of coal dust mitigation as record profits are being recorded by Big Rail. BNSF claimed each Shipper coal car lost 500 to 2,000 pnds per train of 135 cars over 1,600 miles. The high numbers vanished when questioned by Environmentalist. The truth was more akin to 10 pnds per 120 ton car. October 1st, Rail will dictate Shippers begin paying for Rail O&M, coal dust suppression, as dictated by BNSF on BNSF.com. UP must do what BNSF dictates or lose rights to the essential coal line – the Joint Line. Once rail has their line open no care will be given to the public, investors only.

Vadalz said on August 23, 2011 at 12:48 PM

Rail uses ‘bottom dump’ hopper coal cars. The cars lose coal dust from the top and drop large concentrated chucks through unsealed bottomdoors. Rail conducted a study finding if you do not count coal lost from the bottom, no coal is being lost. Utilities’ prefer open top cars only, based on gravity alone open less coal is lost. Mines and Utilities’ using coal compaction technology. Rail is demanding Shippers to Consumers bear all costs of coal dust mitigation as record profits are being recorded. BNSF claimed each Shipper coal car lost 500 to 2,000 pnds per train of 135 cars over 1,600 miles. High numbers vanished when questioned by Environmental groups. The truth was more akin to 10 pnds per 120 ton car. The above picture is 100% unacceptable as a ‘load profile’. Coal sitting on the seal of any car is sloppy. October 1st, Rail will dictate Shippers begin paying for Rail O&M, coal dust suppression, as dictated by BNSF on BNSF.com. UP must do what they are told by BNSF.

dander said on August 18, 2011 at 3:15 PM

I call bull on this report! Coal and it derivatives in a raw form pose no negative effects on people and animals unless its in a dust form and in high concentrations. In fact if processed in particular ways coal can mediate algae blooms, stimulate bio activity and bind up or chelate toxins and heavy metals. This is a fluff piece to get people riled up about a innocuous compound that has millions of positive uses in industry and everyday life. I have been using coal in my environmental business as a mediant for almost a decade with no negative effect or any DOE interference. In fact the the EPA reviewed coal to be used in lieu of more harmful man made chemicals and deemed my coal product safe for aquatic and other uses. The NSF (who sets the standards for drinking water suggests a carbon (coal) filter medium to filter drinking water before any other processes are utilized. Before you jump on any "emotional" bandwagon check your facts and do your research on coal.

dgwphotos said on August 17, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Uncovered truck loads can result in dinged and cracked windshields and even cause car accidents if the debris is large enough. I have yet to hear of train loads doing that.

Bob_Ferris4d8 said on August 17, 2011 at 2:37 PM

These comments are interesting and illuminating all at the same time. Folks should understand the news here is not that coal and coke was found near the tracks used for hauling coal and coke, the story here is that project proponents have claimed repeatedly that coal and coke was not dropping from these cars. Of equal importance in all of this is a question of why railroads are allowed to haul material such as coal in open rail cars when truckers would not be allowed to haul the same material in uncovered trucks? Why are railroads allowed to drop this often toxic waste into waterways and wetlands compromising their function and robbing them of oxygen? Bob Ferris RE Sources for Sustainable Communities

sasquatch said on August 17, 2011 at 11:33 AM

Traces of water found in Lake Washington.......million dollar study to be awarded to understand why.

kenjo70033071559 said on August 17, 2011 at 11:26 AM

Flash! Traces (well, OK, gobs) of oil have been found along Washington roads, highways, streets and alleys throughout the state. All oil production, transportation and consumption of oil-based products should stop immediately! Oh wait...

bazwest said on August 17, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Was it the tracks that tested positive for "coke" or was it the Puget Sound protection group that tested positive for "coke"? The article leaves that point somewhat ambiguous.

pixelater said on August 17, 2011 at 8:48 AM

It is the end of civilization as we know it. Run Chicken Little, run.

klondiko said on August 17, 2011 at 8:05 AM

We're all breathing the same filthy air no matter where it's burned.

stonetrails said on August 17, 2011 at 7:18 AM

"Coal and its derivative coke" The coke heads are going to be lined up on the tracks with gigantic straws!

stonetrails said on August 17, 2011 at 7:15 AM

This is like saying there are traces of stupid in the government. No duh

skok_cush said on August 17, 2011 at 7:00 AM

Hmmm, coal trains. . . .and Trains USE to use Coal to move, and hold on for the clincher. . . .there are traces of Coal along rail lines??? WOW, im glad us Taxpayers Funded Millions for this study(more than likely). . . . .Genius. . . . . .I wonder if there is Gas at Gas stations. . . . . . .That'll keep the greeners busy for a while.

stryker said on August 17, 2011 at 5:31 AM

""Just last week a group of 100 doctors and health professionals in Whatcom County deemed coal dust a threat to human health."" I thought they knew this 100 years ago.

skippypotpiebaby said on August 17, 2011 at 1:27 AM

What? Free coal I am in

dgwphotos said on August 16, 2011 at 10:31 PM

Hmm, coal naturally washes downstream from the many old coal mining sites in King County and Pierce County, and yet no one is complaining about that. Coal is natural, not man made.

kenbkr said on August 16, 2011 at 8:36 PM

If we don;t ship to china bc will. Losing more money

jcman said on August 16, 2011 at 8:25 PM

Yes, we should ship Montana coal to China so they can burn it and send the pollution back to us, NOT. Just wondering what might happen if we figure out a way to make coal a clean energy source and then realize that the best coal is all gone because it went overseas.

zaxxon7469 said on August 16, 2011 at 7:59 PM

Require cover loads for trains as well, done. next mole hill that needs to be made a mountain.

dkjamerican said on August 16, 2011 at 7:52 PM

Don't fill the box cars to full and place a lid on them. What's next?

mr_conservative said on August 16, 2011 at 7:45 PM

Here go the greeners again...

slappywag said on August 16, 2011 at 7:28 PM

Fine reporting. Fine reporting. I hear there's traces of asphalt and cement everywhere.

cpenrico24274615 said on August 16, 2011 at 6:46 PM

Oh wow, what a discovery! Trains used to be pulled by engines that burned coal. Fancy that.