Fossil Fuel Transport through Livingston- Assessing the Dangers
Rail cars loaded with oil and gas traveling through our town pose a potential threat to our safety in the event of derailments, fires or explosions. Open top coal cars spew coal dust which ends up in our lungs. Train noise disrupts quiet, including at night, and rail traffic can block our access between the north and south sides, creating disruptions, and in the worst case scenario, delay first responders.
Emergency Preparedness in Livingston
YBCC Rail Watch committee members attend emergency preparedness meetings to offer input and keep our members informed and able to participate in city preparedness efforts.
Our Work Pays Off
YBCC played an active role in opposing the Tongue River Railroad (and the huge Otter Creek strip mine it was meant to serve) and celebrated the Spring 2016 victory when both the rail line and the mine died. We worked to raise awareness of the proposed rail line and the resulting potential increase in coal trains through Livingston, delivering comments in opposition to the Surface Transportation Board, and prompting the city of Livingston to send letters of support. The victory came in March 2016, ending a nearly 40 year fight to shield the Tongue River Valley from the devastation of strip mining. Here in Livingston we will be protected from a huge increase in coal trains and all the negative impacts those would have brought.
YBCC members have traveled regionally to deliver comments on important fossil fuel issues; in May 2016 members traveled to Spokane to speak in opposition to The Millennium Bulk Terminal (slated for Longview, WA), the last of six proposed coal export terminals intended to facilitate the export of coal from the west coast. Members also testified in Cody, WY to voice support for a fair price for our public lands coal which currently is sold for pennies on the dollar.
Resources
The Power Past Coal site has many resources on the transport of fossil fuels across the region.
Contact us at yellowstonebend@gmail.com . You can also visit our Facebook page to keep in touch. Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council is an affiliate of Northern Plains Resource Council. For more information on this state-wide organization, visit: www.northernplains.org/
