Last week, over 150 people showed up at public hearing on RAM’s proposed coal export terminal to speak up for coast not coal – raising concerns about giant new exposed coal piles along the Mississippi River in Plaquemines, Parish, mile-long uncovered coal trains rolling through West Bank communities and coal dust and pollution in their communities and coastal restoration projects. Thank you if were among that number!Even if you weren’t able to attend, you can still speak out for coast not coal by writing the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Comments on RAM’s coastal use permit application are only accepted until Monday afternoon, so take action now.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 – take action to urge LDNR to deny RAM’s permit.This is our opportunity to urge LDNR to do the right thing and choose coastal restoration over the interests of an out-of-state coal company. Click here to tell LDNR to choose coast not coal.Raleigh Hoke is GRN’s Campaign Director.
