Oakland coal export plans come under fire

Plans to build the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT) were approved by the Oakland City Council, with the California Capital and Investment Group (CCIG) promising a “no coal” development. CCIG is said to have since turned its “no coal” promise into a “coal or nothing” threat, claiming no other cargo will pay the bills. Meanwhile, other West Coast ports are thriving while exporting products like grain, potash, soda ash, salt, and other commodities and bulk products.

“When the developers of the project were seeking tax money and public support to develop the Oakland Army Base, they talked about exporting cargoes like grain and potash,” said Sean Farley, president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 34. “They made a ‘no coal’ promise to workers, the community and elected officials, and they need to make good on that promise.”

Speaking at a recent public hearing on the proposal, ILWU officials said coal is an undesirable, low-value cargo and a broken promise on the part of the developer, and longshore workers are standing by community members who do not want the worry and risks of nine million tonnes of coal passing through their neighbourhoods on trains each year.

While dust emissions from the terminal would prove a problem, other members of the public have raised concerns over asthma and other sickness because of highways and port activities.

“Waterfront space is in short supply on the West Coast, and it would be a mistake to lock Oakland into a decades-long lease with a coal industry that many say is dying. Coal proposals have failed up and down the West Coast, and Oakland shouldn’t become the dumping ground for dirty, low value cargoes that no one else wants,” he added.

“Coal is not the right way to bring jobs to Oakland,” added Derrick Muhammad, ILWU Local 10 Business Agent. “If the developers haven’t found a cleaner, safer product yet, they owe it to the City of Oakland to make good on their promise and keep looking. They’ll find better cargoes if they are truly committed to bringing good, safe jobs to our community.”