Big Coal has big dirty plans for Longview, Washington that would cost taxpayers millions of dollars. In fact, $85 million dollars of state money could get funneled to rail improvements directly benefiting Millennium Bulk Terminals’ proposed coal export project in Longview. Shouldn’t the coal company be footing the bill instead?
On top of that, big oil companies are trying to stop progress on clean fuels by taking away transit funding in the bill if a clean fuels standard moves forward. We need both clean fuels and transit – not one or the other. We need everyone to act now—Washington taxpayers shouldn’t have to choose between cleaner fuels and more public transit. And we sure shouldn't be forced to pay for coal export.
We need to act fast to oppose this transportation package! Legislators could vote as soon as today.
Call the Legislative Hotline at: 1-800-562-6000 and ask to leave a message for your senator.
Tell him or her: "We need clean fuels and transit funding, not $85 million of funding for a rail project in Cowlitz county that is tied to the coal export project."
Please act now! The Washington State transportation package should fund positive transportation improvements, not pave the way for coal export and oil company profits.Washington’s extremely limited transportation budget shouldn’t be diverted towards proposed coal export projects.
Thanks for making the call.
Author Bio
Joëlle engages community members and diverse constituencies—faith, health, youth, parents, business—to make their voices heard for climate solutions. She led the team of organizers to ensure we stopped any coal export from the U.S. West Coast over the past decade. On offense, she co-led the Field team to help pass the 100% Clean Electricity (Clean Energy Transition Act in 2019) and in 2022 collaborated with the Field team to ensure that all new buildings (commercial and residential) will be built with heat pumps per the State Building Code Council. She continues to conspire for good with them on many other local and state initiatives.
Joëlle was the Regional Outreach Coordinator of National Wildlife Federation where she focused on mobilizing hunters, anglers and concerned citizens around solutions to global warming. Previous work with Climate Solutions includes the NW Climate Connections partnership, serving as the Field Assistant for the successful Clean Cars campaign, and Field Director of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which passed in April 2006.
She previously served on the boards of Earth Ministry, Solar Washington, and Sierra Club Executive Committee. She’s currently President of the board of her 3 year-old!
Joëlle is Northwest born and raised who loves to hike, dance, travel and explore the natural world.
Her favorite quote is “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver
