Protecting & Preserving Puget Sound
SEATTLE, WA – BNSF Railway (BNSF) will be forced to pay for the cleanup of Pacific Northwest waterways that were polluted for decades by coal or petroleum coke (“petcoke”) emitted from their open-topped train cars.
A coalition of environmental organizations and BNSF Railway (BNSF) have reached an agreement in principle that will ensure that BNSF starts to clean up and prevent pollution from their coal trains.
The agreement, which is expected to be finalized as a legally enforceable consent decree court order in the next 60 days, will put on hold the ongoing trial until a final agreement is reached, and includes several requirements that will protect the health of Washington’s waterways.
This is a win for those that work, live and recreate in the Columbia River, Puget Sound, Spokane River, and other Washington waterways that have been polluted by the dust of passing coal trains for decades.
This morning the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington denied a motion to dismiss in its entirety, allowing a Clean Water Act lawsuit against BNSF Railway Company to proceed for coal dust contamination of U.S. waterways.
Court gives green light for water pollution lawsuit to proceed, major implications for coal shipper.
Today, the Sierra Club and its partners filed suit against Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) and several coal companies for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
Today, the Sierra Club and its partners sent a 60-day notice of intent to sue to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) and several coal companies for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.