Coal export critics pressure Gov. John Kitzhaber to delay permit approvals

Published: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 3:44 PM     Updated: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 3:45 PM

By Scott Learn, The Oregonian

Coal export critics ramped up pressure on Gov. John Kitzhaber today to delay any Oregon projects until a comprehensive "health impact assessment" is completed.

An assessment could take over a year, which would be a blow to Ambre Energy, the only company to date to apply for Oregon permits to export Montana and Wyoming coal to Asia.

Lining up in favor of a delay: Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Oregon's Environmental Justice Task Force, the Yakama Nation, the Linnton neighborhood association in northwest Portland and leaders of north Portland's 11 neighborhood associations.

Oregon PSR said 130 physicians signed a position statement that asks the governor to delay issuing permits until comprehensive health and environmental reviews are conducted, whether by state or federal agencies or an independent group.

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