6/19 Corps coal, coal poll, Oly coal, state budget, L Pod, BC oil pipe

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers will not review the broader climate-change impacts of proposed coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest, an agency official told Congress on Tuesday, June 18. The much-anticipated decision is a significant victory for the supporters of three coal terminals in Washington and Oregon - including Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point - and a setback for environmentalists and state and local officials who oppose the projects.... (Jennifer Moyer, acting regulatory chief for the Corps) said that the Corps would not consider the impact of the transportation of coal by rail from mines to the ports on waterways and air quality - something that the governors of Washington and Oregon, environmental groups and Indian tribes had demanded.... Larry Altose, spokesman for the Washington Department of Ecology, said the state may choose to commission studies of climate change and rail traffic impact under the State Environmental Policy Act, even if the Corps says it is not required to do so under federal law. Curtis Tate reports. Army Corps of Engineers says climate change won't be studied for coal terminals   See also, from Floyd McKay, Federal decision hands coal ports a big victory

Meanwhile, a new survey finds support for coal export terminals has dropped over the past year among Northwest residents. It also finds support for a region-wide approach to measuring the environmental impact of exporting coal. Courtney Flatt reports. EarthFix Poll: NW Residents’ Support For Coal Dropping

The Olympia City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass a resolution opposing the construction of coal export facilities in the Northwest. The resolution states the council’s opinion, but exerts no control over the shipment of coal through the city or the construction of coal terminals, which in this state are proposed for Longview and near Bellingham. The resolution notes that it “is expected” the coal would travel through land adjacent to the city’s drinking water source, McAllister Springs and Wellfield, which sits in unincorporated Thurston County. Matt Batcheldor reports. Olympia takes position against coal

There’s suddenly a flurry of talk in Olympia about a quick resolution to the weeks-long budget stalemate. The change in rhetoric follows Tuesday’s positive revenue and caseload forecasts. Budget writers will now have more than $300 million in additional funds to help bridge their differences, thanks to a recovering housing market and improved consumer confidence. Austin Jenkins reports. Positive revenue news could break budget logjam in Olympia

Yesterday the Center for Whale Research reported that two adult female orcas are now dead.  While both were senior members of the Southern Resident orcas and no longer able to bear calves, their roles in the orca culture nonetheless were important. The most disturbing fact about the death of one of the females is that she leaves behind just one son with no other offspring to continue the family line. Candace Calloway Whiting reports. L Pod Orcas Lost Two Members, End of a Matriline Looms  

There is a growing imbalance between oil supply and delivery in Canada, and a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says doing nothing is not an option. The association’s lawyer, Keith Bergner, told the review panel weighing the Northern Gateway oil pipeline in Terrace, B.C., that producers are finding themselves with product on their hands and no way to ship it to buyers. Northern Gateway needed to deliver excess oil supply, hearing told  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT WED JUN 19 2013
TODAY
LIGHT WIND...BECOMING W 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES LESS THAN 1 FT...THEN 1 TO 3 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. SW SWELL 3 FT AT 10 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. SW SWELL 3 FT AT 10 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

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