Giant new exposed coal piles along the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish. Mile-long uncovered coal trains rolling through West Bank communities like Gretna and Belle Chasse. Coal dust and pollution in communities and coastal restoration projects. Those are some of the things we could look forward to if the proposed RAM coal export terminal is built. Next week, the state of Louisiana is holding a public hearing about RAM’s coastal use permit – join us to speak out for coast not coal! What: Press Event and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hearing on RAM’s Coastal Use PermitWhen: September 17th (Thursday), press event at 5:30 pm and hearing at 6 pm.Where: Belle Chasse Auditorium, 8398 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LAWhy: Stand up for community and coastal restoration by holding a sign at the press event and sharing a public comment at the hearing! Refreshments will be available.For more information, contact James@healthygulf.org.The proposed site for the RAM coal export terminal is directly adjacent to the future site of the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion – one of the premier coastal restoration projects in Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. The state’s top scientists have raised serious concerns about how this coal export terminal would impact the restoration project, and we’ve already found evidence of coal pollution from existing export terminals in other restoration areas. RAM has refused to address these concerns and the concerns of impacted communities – its permit should be denied.This is our chance to urge DNR to choose coastal restoration over the interests of an out-of-state coal company by rejecting RAM’s coastal use permit application once and for all. Join us September 17th in Belle Chasse to stand up for coast not coal. Raleigh Hoke is GRN’s Campaign Director.
