IMAGE OF COAL

A similar battle rages in Rochester, MN between the Rochester Coalition and the DM&E Railroad, with their planned expansion into the Powder River coalfield. Much of Rochester is up in arms over the prospect of many additional coal trains running through town. Part of the objection is the usual concern about noise, dust, crossing delays, etc. But the objection is also grounded in a fundamental concern over the burning of fossil fuel causing an acceleration of global warming by the creation of greenhouse gases. They worry that the DM&E will increase the supply of coal and encourage its use. So while they don’t like the nuisance of coal trains, they also don’t like coal.
Let’s not forget that, under the premise of global warming, carbon dioxide has now become a pollutant.
RK