Trump-backed Oakland coal terminal would be far bigger and dirtier than promised, report says

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Set us as preferred A controversial new coal export facility in California backed by President Trump may be far dirtier than locals have been led to believe, new documents show.Widespread opposition has prevented any new coal export facility on the West Coast until now.

If built, more than 13 million tons of coal will be shipped each year from interior states to the West Gateway terminal in Oakland and stored in enormous open-air piles before being sent overseas, according to a recent report prepared for potential investors.That’s despite previous promises by project developers to build a modern, fully enclosed facility that will limit dangerous dust exposure to the surrounding community.The site is the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal, a decommissioned Army base near the Port of Oakland run by developer Phil Tagami, who has been trying for years to turn it into a marine shipping terminal.

Tagami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.It would be the largest coal export site on the U.S.

West Coast, transporting coal to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia, according to the Trump administration.The president announced a $75-million investment in the project in June, about a third of its estimated cost, although some figures are much higher.

Climate & Environment The president said he will invoke Cold War-era emergency powers to direct a nearly $700-million investment into the waning coal industry, including construction of a West Coast coal export terminal in Oakland.California spent decades moving away from coal, and no longer burns it or buys any electricity generated by it.Opponents say the new terminal would undermine years of progress cleaning up the air in the neighboring area, which has long experienced disproportionate pollution due to its proximity to the port and other industry.The...