The headline today of 10,000 who've signed a petition for the coal train, not a word about the petition signed months ago against the train -- a referendum was rejected so of all the voters in Whatcom County haven't really been acknowledged.

Who really benefits from the coal trains, the railroad, BNSF. We might guess an estimate of about $1 million per 100-car freight, and they want 18 to 20 travelling through daily.

The latest issue of Sierra Magazine features an article, "The Cost of Coal," and the impact on people.

Let's look more closely at the effect of up to 20 trains daily, the dust, the noise, and what is it contributing in cost to humans and climate.

Cal Scheidegger

Bellingham