Coal port debate

Floyd McKay • Feb 6, 2018

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Coal port debate</h1>
                <h2><p>Whatcom County officials Friday afternoon posted the draft contract for environmental review of the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal, language that the developer, SSA Marine, has had under review since Dec. 12. The contract reflects an earlier announcement that its scope would include rail traffic throughout Washington, and a full health-impact</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/floydmckay-comcast-net/">Floyd McKay</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Whatcom County officials Friday afternoon posted the draft contract for environmental review of the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal, language that the developer, SSA Marine, has had under review since Dec. 12. The contract reflects an earlier announcement that its scope would include rail traffic throughout Washington, and a full health-impact study. It also revealed that state and county officials would not consider job or tax benefits from the project; both have been major talking points for terminal supporters.<br><br>The contract also referenced a permit issued to SSA in 1997 for a much-smaller terminal to export grain, potash and other products, but not coal; this was listed as the developer’s fallback plan if the large project is scrapped. — F.M.</p>
          </article>

Whatcom County officials Friday afternoon posted the draft contract for environmental review of the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal, language that the developer, SSA Marine, has had under review since Dec. 12. The contract reflects an earlier announcement that its scope would include rail traffic throughout Washington, and a full health-impact study. It also revealed that state and county officials would not consider job or tax benefits from the project; both have been major talking points for terminal supporters.

The contract also referenced a permit issued to SSA in 1997 for a much-smaller terminal to export grain, potash and other products, but not coal; this was listed as the developer’s fallback plan if the large project is scrapped. — F.M.

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By Floyd McKay

Floyd J. McKay, professor of journalism emeritus at Western Washington University, was a print and broadcast journalist in Oregon for three decades. He is also a historian and his new book, "Reporting