While creating jobs in a tough economy is beneficial to the community, I believe coal trains through Washington are a bad idea. Allowing the coal trains destroys the environment, and prevents promotion of green energy. Important environmental factors to consider include noise pollution, coal levels in the soil, and the dangers to surrounding wildlife. Noise pollution might seem like more of a disturbance rather than detrimental to the human population but research has shown that noise pollution contributes to high blood pressure and an increased of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance. Coal also pollutes surrounding areas by a release of coal dust. In Norfolk, 28 million tons of coal ships annually. Soil samples taken in the city contained up to 20 percent coal by weight. While physical land pollution is one byproduct of coal trains, another is the prevention of promoting green energy. Selling coal not only sends the message that we support consumption of coal, but also takes away a need for green energy. Instead of trying to wait until we are forced to switch to green energy we, as a nation, should be putting a larger investment into prevention, rather than reactionary measures. It is for these reasons that it is detrimental to the environment, and irresponsible to allow the coal trains.

Gabrielle Barnes

Bellingham