Bellingham coal terminal..thoughts? (Seattle, Everett: home, buy, pros and cons)

[evergraystate]

Yeah Fairhaven is nice, isn't it? I was thinking more along the lines of Bellingham's superfund site.

Isn't it gorgeous?

[Pretzelogik]

Energy bad...let's all go back to living in caves and hunting saber tooth tigers..

[Lamplight]

Originally Posted by evergraystate

Yeah Fairhaven is nice, isn't it? I was thinking more along the lines of Bellingham's superfund site.

Isn't it gorgeous?

Several of my pictures weren't even taken in Fairhaven, several taken from Fairhaven but looking toward the rest of Bellingham, and the one you show is just one part of the waterfront (though admittedly it's right in the middle). Plus there are extensive proposals for redeveloping a portion of that part of the waterfront. The paper mill just closed four years ago, I wouldn't expect there to already be much development in its place. Especially considered the fact the site contained heavy industry until fairly recently, and the pollution to go along with it. And I believe Whatcom County has refused to help finance the development, which I'm sure doesn't help. You can't just tear down a polluting industrial site that was in operation as late as 2007 (not to mention an area that's been an industrial center since the 1800s) and throw in some shops and condos the next day, especially without enough money. Throw in conflict over just how much cleanup needs to be done, and it's understandable that the site is still relatively untouched.

Edit: And don't get me wrong, I do agree that it's a major eyesore. But I'm just saying there are still other places along the waterfront that are fantastic, and that one spot (which will hopefully be nice eventually) isn't enough to take away from the rest. At least for me. In a way I find it rather interesting, partially because of the history and partially because I find large, abandoned buildings fascinating.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by CTC

This is not only the Republican argument, it is the argument of people WITHOUT jobs-where are all those those green jobs promised by Obama and funded by the stimulus package?? I sure did not get one (have a degree in Natural resource Management)-and I voted for Obama (what a mistake)

Those that argue against these kind of jobs usually have one already.

Waste at the level of State and Regional governments who were given the money, along with a reclassification of what a "green job" is. The idea was good, the execution wasn't so much.

[rkcarguy]

What lamplight fails to mention, is that the rail mainline is no further than ~one block from where any of those pictures are taken.
Beautiful indeed, tolerable only with acoustic foam, triple pane windows, and earplugs at bedtime.

[Lamplight]

Originally Posted by rkcarguy

What lamplight fails to mention, is that the rail mainline is no further than ~one block from where any of those pictures are taken.
Beautiful indeed, tolerable only with acoustic foam, triple pane windows, and earplugs at bedtime.

And if that's the case then this coal terminal will only make it worse, which I believe is just one of the reasons people aren't happy about it.

[alexxiz]

Diesel fumes... and some other best cancerogens around.

[509]

Nice pictures guys.

What you guys really need is some wind turbines in the picture. They have added greatly to the scenery in eastern Washington.

The right is destroying the environment with coal and the left with wind turbines and solar panels.

In the US right now it is a push between the environmental damage caused by "green" energy and "dirty energy". Unfortunately, for me the "green" energy is destroying MY natural landscapes.

The solution is ZERO POPULATION GROWTH.

[nwcountrygal]

I am not aware of the details of coal out of Bellingham. I will say I live in Seward AK half the year and we have the trains bring coal in - have a coal shoot that feeds the boats - mainly Korea and Japan- from the train. The train isn't a hassel to town because it never crosses the road. Ya I hear some banging of cars but not big deal. In the summer there is on average one ship a month. Winter maybe more. I can say the coal dust settles in the air. Winter with snow the harbor and boats are all covered with black soot. Locals are not all that happy about it. The shoot belt is length of the harbor and when running sounds like another train or clanking knocking noise for the basically 2 days it takes to fill ship. Just a little info from someone who is around such a thing.

[E Roy Slade]

i vote republican and guess id say no to coal trains