Report: local rail traffic could spike as coal exports increase

Asia’s growing demand for coal exported from the U.S. could have a direct and potentially significant impact locally. Half a dozen new coal export terminals are being planned on the West Coast, which, according to one conservation group, could equate to substantially increased freight train traffic through Whitefish.

The possible impacts of increased rail traffic were recently published in a new report from the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a Montana-based conservation group. WORC’s study looks specifically at transporting coal from the Powder River Basin to Asia via Pacific Northwest export terminals. The Powder River Basin of Wyoming and southeast Montana accounts for about 40 percent of the nation’s total coal production.

The resource council’s report says as coal production in the PRB increases a “significant shift in PRB traffic can also be expected.”

“The vast majority of PRB export coal traffic would likely move north via BNSF...to the Pacific Northwest export coal terminals in Washington and Oregon,” the report says.

The resource council expects BNSF export coal shipments would connect to the Hi-Line at Shelby and move west through Whitefish to Sandpoint, Idaho. The possible addition of coal trains headed west could add nearly 15 to 30 trains per day to the Hi-Line route, the report claims.

BNSF currently runs more than 30 trains a day across the Hi-Line route, their busiest track in Montana.

BNSF representatives have disputed claims made in the report, saying it’s unrealistic to assume all coal from the PRB will travel on BNSF lines, or that all of the planned export terminals will be built.

Still, the freight company has been preparing for increased rail traffic associated with natural resources. The company hired 415 employees in Montana last year, including 41 in Whitefish, and has plans to invest $111 million in Montana this year on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects. About 140 new employees are expected to be hired across the state this year and $3.9 billion will be spent company-wide on capital improvement projects.

The resource council’s report says there are a number of concerns with increased coal transportation — coal dust pollution being one of the more obvious — but the report also notes rail traffic congestion and disruption to Amtrak’s Empire Builder passenger train service. Other impacts could come from diesel particulate, noise and delays at railroad crossings.

“Without question, the increase will have substantial adverse environmental and economic consequences,” the report states.

A few local groups have taken note of the predicted increase in freight traffic.

Both the Whitefish Lake Institute and a group of property owners in the Birch Point and Lake Park neighborhoods sent letters last month to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement in regards to the proposed West Coast export coal terminals.

Mike Koopal, executive director of the Whitefish Lake Institute, asked the Corps of Engineers to address direct and indirect effects to aquatic ecosystems associated with diesel particulate and coal dust. With train tracks running along Whitefish Lake and over the Whitefish River, Koopal also asked the Corps of Engineers to devise a rapid-response plan for emergency cleanup efforts in all types of waterbodies.

West Lakeshore Drive resident William Jones penned a similar letter to the Corps of Engineers asking for an EIS and public hearings in Whitefish.

“Our neighborhood is already experiencing, and could experience more, significant impacts from the increased capacity of railroad servicing the route, which borders our homes and properties,” Jones wrote.

Jones estimates 55 homes and properties in his neighborhood are within 50 to 500 feet of the tracks. He says residents have already noticed an increase in rail capacity with longer, heavier trains with multiple engines.

Jones is quick to say his concerns aren’t solely based around coal dust. He notes concerns with ground vibration, engine and track noise, horn signals and diesel exhaust.

“By all accounts, increased diesel particulate matter and coal dust are serious concerns,” Jones wrote.

He suggests the EIS should establish an air quality standard that is regularly measured.

Jones also wants the city of Whitefish to take a proactive stance. With plans for a footbridge over the Whitefish River and a pedestrian path connecting to Birch Point, the city has an opportunity to develop a buffer between the train tracks and the lake, Jones says.

“If the city develops that area, let’s enhance it and mitigate [the impacts of increased rail traffic,]” he said.

In the end, Jones wants to see the city, BNSF and residents come together with an open discussion.

“Lets take a look at these issues,” he said. “[If there are problems] shouldn’t we know now?”

Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld told the Pilot the city met with BNSF representatives in July where the topic was discussed.

“Based on what we are learning, the coal dust is mostly an issue at the mine and ports, not en route,” Muhlfeld said. “However, we understand the community’s concerns and will continue to keep a pulse on the issue.”

Other cities along freight routes are already addressing the potential for increased traffic.

A BNSF Railway line runs adjacent to and across Lake Pend Oreille in north Idaho. The city of Sandpoint passed a resolution in April that states the city’s concerns about negative impacts on the water quality of the lake from coal dust and diesel emissions. The resolution says the city is “deeply concerned” about the potential hazards and it requested an EIS and public meeting from the Corps of Engineers.

The Missoula City-County Air Pollution Control Board also requested an EIS and a public hearing.

Board chair Garon Smith said if the coal export terminals materialize, “These trains could pass through Missoula, and we believe, could result in a significant adverse effect on our community.”

The transportation of coal contributed to about 27 percent of BNSF’s freight revenues in 2010, with more than 90 percent of all BNSF’s coal originating from the Powder River Basin.

The company says they’re at the forefront of research regarding the impacts of coal dust and that their studies show coal dust poses a serious threat to the integrity of their lines. Dusting “events” occur most frequently near loading points in the PRB and “materially decrease” as the railcars move farther away, BNSF reports.

The company says shippers are responsible for securing their freight for transit by rail.

“BNSF continues to work with the coal shipping community to identify measures that can be taken by shippers at origin to minimize the release of coal dust from loaded coal cars while they are in transit at all points on BNSF’s system,” the company states on their website.