— from Rick Manugian, Senate Democrats Communication —

Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, issued this statement on today’s decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers against the proposal to build the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point to ship coal brought in from Montana to mainland China.

“This is an incredible victory for human health, environmental health, clean energy and the sovereign rights of the Lummi Nation, which rightly challenged the project on the basis of its threat to their air, water and land.

“Today we move forward, past coal and towards healthier communities and the more sustainable path of renewable energies and green jobs.

“It makes far more sense to focus our infrastructure and training and employment efforts on family wage jobs that can serve Washingtonians for decades to come.”

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